The Tour of Lombardy is known in Italy as the Tour of the Falling Leaves. This race is the traditional end to the Classic season. This extremely tough 105km ride has some quite challenging climbs that include the 8,7km road up to the world famous Madonna del Ghisallo (chapel of the patron saint of Cyclists). The route winds & twists its way around part of lake Como that's situated in the heart of the incredibly scenic Lombardy countryside.

The ride starts in Brianza just North of Milano. The first part is very undulating with many holiday resorts & villages until Bevera 370m. After the short descent from Bevera starts the 4km long easy climb of Ello (470m) with a superb mountain panorama at the end. After the climb the ride continues with an easy scenic descent to Galbiate (370m). When you reach Oggiono (270m) the road flattens for a period until the resort of Eupilio (265m). Here starts another short climb to Segrino Lake (370m) and after another flat part to Canzo (390m). Here is the start of another easy climb to Valbrona (500m)

The last 65km takes you from Valbrona (500mt) with a nice descent with beautiful view of the Lecco Lake. You then arrive in the little village of Onno (210m) and continue on the undulating road along the lake coast. Here the route makes a hard left turn in Regatola (280mt). This is where you start the challenging 8,7km long climb of the Madonna del Ghisallo. The first 4km are really hard with a average slope of 9% until the little village of Guello (630mt) where the road becomes easy for about 3 km until the village of Civenna (620mt). Here the climb returns with a sting as its really hard in the last 1,5km at 10% with numerous hairpins untill the top of the well known Ghisallo (750mt). On the left you will see the church of Madonna del Ghisallo (protecting saint of the cyclists). This old chapel holds many jerseys from past champions.

After this climb the road continues with a steady main road descent to Asso (490mt). A tight right turn signifies the start of this rides toughest climb the 9,5km Colma di Sormano (1135m). After 5 km of steady climbing the Village of Sormano (800mt) comes into view. The climb continues at about 6-7% until the final kilometre. Just on the top there's a little observatory and a refuge. Here begins the fast descent of 2km until the flat Piano del Tivano 975m winter ski resort. The route then nose dives down the shaded twisty decent to Lake Como & the village of Nesso (280mt.) Here the route returns to the same type of twisty undulating Lake side road that you experienced before the two main climbs. Along the way you will pass though villages like Faggeto Lario, Torno, Blevio, and finish in Como city (220m) along the main coastal road.