How to watch Il Lombardia 2025: start time, route, and free and paid streaming options
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As autumn settles over northern Italy, cycling fans prepare for one of the sport’s most beautiful and brutal one-day races – Il Lombardia 2025. Known as La Classica delle Foglie Morte or “The Race of the Falling Leaves,” this event traditionally marks the end of the WorldTour season. On October 11, 2025, riders will line up in Como, tackling a 238 km route packed with climbs before finishing in Bergamo.
This year’s edition is the 119ᵗʰ Il Lombardia, organized by RCS Sport and serving as Race No. 35 on the UCI WorldTour calendar. The course features nearly 4,400 meters of elevation gain, challenging the peloton with relentless ascents, twisting descents, and unpredictable autumn weather. It’s a race where tactical mastery meets sheer endurance – a fitting finale for the world’s best climbers.
Il Lombardia’s character is defined by its iconic climbs. The Valico di Valpiana and Colle Aperto test riders with double-digit gradients, while the winding Selvino descent, with its 19 switchbacks, rewards daring descenders. In past editions, the infamous Muro di Sormano, averaging 17% and peaking at 27%, has become a symbol of the race’s cruelty and allure.
Throughout its century-long history, Il Lombardia has crowned legends like Fausto Coppi, who holds a record five victories. In the modern era, Tadej Pogačar has dominated, winning four consecutive editions from 2021 to 2024 – a streak he’ll aim to extend in 2025. With changing weather, steep climbs, and unpredictable tactics, every edition writes its own drama along the shores of Lake Como and the cobbles of Bergamo.
Where to watch Il Lombardia 2025 live
| Country / region | Local start time | Platform | Type | Price / notes |
| Country / Region | Local Start Time | Platform | Type | Price / Notes |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 10:40 AM CEST | RAI / RAI Play | Free-to-air / Online | Free access in Italy; live on RAI 2 HD and streamable on RAI Play. |
| 🇪🇺 Europe (UK, France, Germany, Spain, etc.) | 10:40 AM CEST / 9:40 AM BST | Eurosport / Discovery+ | Paid streaming / TV | Subscription required (€6.99 / £6.99 monthly depending on region). |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 4:40 AM ET / 1:40 AM PT | FloBikes | Subscription | Confirmed coverage; approx CA $29.99 per month or CA $150 per year. |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 6:40 PM AEST / 8:40 PM NZST | FloBikes | Subscription | Confirmed live coverage; ~AU $29.99 per month or AU $150 per year. |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 4:40 AM ET / 1:40 AM PT | HBO Max (Sports) | Subscription | Listed under Live Sports on HBO Max (Standard & Premium plans $9.99 – $19.99/mo). May show geo-restriction notice. |
How to watch Il Lombardia 2025 for free with a VPN
Il Lombardia 2025 will stream for free on RAI Play, Italy’s national broadcaster. However, the service is geo-restricted to viewers within Italy. If you’re abroad, you can still access the same free stream by connecting through a VPN with Italian servers.
- Choose a reliable VPN with servers in Italy – I recommend NordVPN (currently 75% OFF) for smooth HD streaming
- Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device – laptop, smartphone, or smart TV
- Launch the VPN and connect to a server located in Italy
- Open your browser and visit RAIPlay.it
Il Lombardia 2025 elevation profile and key climbs
The 238 km route from Como to Bergamo is packed with climbs that define the race’s rhythm and strategy. Riders face over 4,400 m of elevation gain, alternating between long ascents and technical descents that can make or break the day.
| Climb | Length | Average gradient | Max gradient | Key features / notes |
| Valico di Valpiana | ~9 km | 8 % | 17 % | Early selective climb that sets the tone for the day. |
| Berbenno – Dossena – Zambla Alta | ~20 km (combined) | 5–7 % | 10 % | Series of sustained climbs; builds cumulative fatigue. |
| Passo di Ganda | 9.2 km | 7.3 % | 15 % | Key climb often used for late attacks; scenic views and punishing ramps. |
| Selvino Descent | 10 km | – | – | 19 switchbacks – one of the most technical descents in Italian cycling. |
| Colle Aperto (final climb) | 1.8 km | 10 % | 12 % | Decisive ascent into Bergamo’s Città Alta before the finish line. |
The final kilometers into Bergamo Alta reward riders with breathtaking scenery and punishing gradients. The fast descent into the city and cobbled finish often determine the winner – making Il Lombardia as much about nerve and technique as endurance.
Race favorites and predictions
Tadej Pogačar – The Man to Beat
Tadej Pogačar enters Il Lombardia 2025 as the clear favorite. The Slovenian has won the race four years in a row (2021–2024) and now aims for a record-tying fifth victory, matching the legendary Fausto Coppi. Pogačar’s current form is exceptional – fresh off a dominant win at the 2025 European Championships, he’s once again shown he can combine long-range attacks with explosive climbing. Unless something extraordinary happens, he remains the benchmark every other contender must match.
Remco Evenepoel – The Challenger
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel is one of the few riders capable of shaking up Pogačar’s dominance. His attacking style and time-trial-like climbing power make him a real threat, especially on the rolling middle section of the course. If he launches early on the Passo di Ganda or Valico di Valpiana, the race could turn into a tactical battle between two of the sport’s biggest stars.
Other contenders
Several top names round out the favorites list:
- Jonas Vingegaard – though more at home in Grand Tours, his climbing precision and endurance could put him in contention if the race explodes early.
- Tom Pidcock – known for his descending skills and one-day race flair, Pidcock could capitalize on technical descents like Selvino.
- Local Italians – riders such as Filippo Zana or Giulio Ciccone might animate the race, especially on home roads and familiar climbs.
Predicted race scenario
Expect an early breakaway to gain several minutes before the main contenders take control in the final 70 km. The decisive moves will likely come on Passo di Ganda or the steep ramps of Colle Aperto, where descending skill and endurance decide the winner. If Pogačar launches one of his trademark solo attacks, a fifth straight triumph could well be on the cards.
