AGAINST FOREIGN FORCES, NORDHAGEN
AND WIDAR THE TOP FAVORITES
48 hours to go until Lombardia Under 23. Now in its 96th edition, scheduled for Saturday, October 5: 170 kilometers starting at 12.00 PM from Oggiono in the province of Lecco. The finish is expected around 4:00 PM on Viale Vittoria in Oggiono. Considered one of the toughest races in the category, it retains the traditional route with Ghisallo, Villa Vergano, Colle Brianza and Marconaga di Ello just 6 km from the finish line. The last Italian winner was Andrea Bagioli, who won it in 2019. There will be 12 Italian teams and 21 foreign teams, for a total of 161 riders.
The Favorites
The predictions are wide open. Leading the pack are Belgian Jarno Widar (Lotto Dstny), winner of the U23 Giro and Giro della Valle d'Aosta, and Norwegian Jorgen Nordhagen (Visma Lease a Bike), who triumphed two days ago at the Coppa Città di San Daniele del Friuli. Visma can also count on Van Bekkum and Mattio. Form and motivation are also on the side of Spaniard Torres, Luxembourger Wenzel, Austrian Putz, Eritrean Zeray, Belgian Soenens, Danish Svarre, and the French riders Rolland, Gillet, and Rouland. Watch out for British riders Harding and Wood of the Zappi Racing Team (two wins each in the Italian classics of August and September), Swiss rider Casagrande, who has had several top finishes in recent weeks, and another Brit, Golliker, leading Groupama FDJ.
Then there are our guys, the Italians. Italian champion Edoardo Zamperini, a rider perfectly suited for tough races, has everything it takes to compete with the foreigners. And like the Veronese rider from Trevigiani Energiapura Marchiol, competing for the win are Ludovico Crescioli, Bracalente, Ambrosini, Arrighetti, D'Aiuto, Montoli, Pettiti, Oioli and Nespoli.
RECENT WINNERS
2023 LECERF William Junior (Bel)
2022 SEGAERT Alec (Bel)
2021 LAPEIRA Paul (Fra)
2020 SWEENY Harry (Aus)
2019 BAGIOLI Andrea (Ita)
2018 STANNARD Robert (Aus)
2017 RIABUSHENKO Alexandr (Blr)
2016 VANHOUCKE Harm (Bel)
2015 MASNADA Fausto (Ita)
2014 MOSCON Gianni (Ita)
2013 VILLELLA Davide (Ita)
Below: FCI and UCI Registered Riders
Photo by Rodella: last year's finish and podium
