It's clear that winter and the end of the 2023 cycling season are fast approaching. The big cycling highlights, such as the Grand Tours and the World Cycling Championships, are over. Jumbo-Visma has won all three major national tours and underlined its position at the top of professional cycling. But there was also plenty for die-hard cycling fans in October.
Lippert wins at Tre Valli Varesine
The German Liane Lippert (Movistar) secured her fourth win of the season in the tough one-day race Tre Valli Varesine. Ahead of her rivals Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Elisa Balsamo, the 25-year-old crossed the finish line as a soloist after 112.3 kilometres. She launched her winning attack three kilometres before the finish line.
Tour of Lombardy: Third victory in a row for Pogacar
As usual, the Tour of Lombardy took place in October to herald the end of the cycling season. In the race of the falling leaves, co-favourite Remco Evenepoel (Soudal - Quick Step) had to admit defeat early on. After a crash, the Belgian was only able to continue the race after a long break.
In the end, another favourite secured first place in the one-day race: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) pulled away at the end of a thrilling race and defended his title from the previous year. In Bergamo, the Slovenian won as a soloist ahead of Andrea Bagioli and Primoz Roglic.
Further cycling highlights of October
However, October also had a few surprises in store: for example, the American Riley Sheenan (Israel-Premier Tech) won the 117th edition of Paris-Tours. The 23-year-old beat four rivals in the final sprint. The Tour of Guangxi also featured exciting sprints as well as beautiful scenery. Dutch rider Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) won the bunch sprint on the sixth stage.
In October, we also dealt with the farewell of two professional cyclists. Frenchman Thibaut Pinot ended his professional cycling career at the age of 33. He won numerous victories, but was repeatedly plagued by injuries and was never able to win one of the three Grand Tours. Nevertheless, he remains the hero of the fans.
Cycling fans also had to say goodbye to Greg van Avermaet. The Rio Olympic champion and Paris-Roubaix winner ended his cycling career at the age of 38.
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
