The Bahrain Merida team have announced a strong line-up for the last Monument of the season, Il Lombardia.
Last year, Vincenzo Nibali soloed to win the Race of the Falling Leaves on the shores of Lake Como and the Italian returns to defend his title. Lining up alongside Nibali will be Ion Izagirre, Gorka Izagirre, Franco Pellizotti, Domenico Pozzovivo, Matej Mohoric and Antonio Nibali.
The race will start in Bergamo and finish in Como after 241 kilometres. The riders will take on six climbs – including Ghisallo and the Muro of Sormano – before tackling the last part of the race on the climbs around Como. The novelty of this year will be the ascent of Monte Olimpino – 1,700m long with 5% average gradient and a maximum of 9% – which finishes just 3 kilometres from the finish line.
Vincenzo Nibali is ready for the challenge: “After a good Tre Valli last Tuesday, in these last days I have tried again the Il Lombardia’s finale. The condition is growing even if, compared to last year, something is still missing. We will see how the race will go, certainly as usual I will give everything I can”.
Domenico Pozzovivo: “I arrived at this race after a good 7th place at Milan-Turin last Wednesday. I still have a good leg even though the season has been long and I can not be so bright. I know the route very well and I think the race will be decided after the combination of Ghisallo and Muro of Sormano has selected the group. I expect an attack on Civiglio, while the last climb I do not think I can do a lot of selection”.
Sport Director Alberto Volpi: “We will be at the start in Bergamo with a very good team with a very high level riders. In addition to the brothers Ion and Gorka Izagirre, in fact, there will be Pozzovivo, Antonio Nibali, Franco Pellizotti and Matej Mohoric. I expect that in the last part there may be more men together with our captain Vincenzo. This year’s route is less demanding and I believe that those who want to win will try to make the difference by climbing the Civiglio “.
Team Bahrain Merida line-up for Il Lombardia:
Vincenzo Nibali
Antonio Nibali
Ion Izagirre
Gorka Izagirre
Franco Pellizotti
Domenico Pozzovivo
Matej Mohoric
