Team BikeExchange-Jayco head to the fifth and final cycling Monument of the 2022 season,II Lombardia, with an open and aggressive approach as they look to be protagonists and animate the iconic 253km event.
 
After falling during the week, the team’s original leader for the one-day classic, Simon Yates, will be an unfortunate non-starter on Saturday, leaving the Australian outfit forced to change its tactics and approach. Runner-up on a Tour de France stage earlier this year, Nick Schultz and local Italian climbers Kevin Colleoni and Matteo Sobrero, have the legs to challenge on the climbs, and will line-up alongside American time trial champion Lawson Craddock and Ethiopia’s Tsgabu Grmay.
 
Young Swiss rider Alex Balmer will make his debut at the event, and after 15 years as a professional rider, II Lombardia will be the final race for Estonian Tanel Kangert.
 
Known as the ‘Classic of the dead leaves’ falling in Autumn, the 2022 race will feature traditional climbs such as the iconic Ghisallo, but this year the race will see the riders pass over the double climb of San Fermo, and a final circuit of 22 kilometres that also includes Civiglio.

Team BikeExchange-Jayco Line-Up:
Alexander Balmer (SUI)
Kevin Colleoni (ITA)
Lawson Craddock (USA)
Tsgabu Grmay  (ETH)
Tanel Kangert (EST)
Nick Schultz (AUS)
Matteo Sobrero (ITA)

Kevin Colleoni
“Il Lombardia is one of those seasonal events which I am really attached to. Not only was it one of the races that I went to see every year when I was a young rider, but it starts from Bergamo which is not far from where I was born and where I live. 
 
I am curious to test my condition in a race like this. A fall at Coppa Agostoni certainly did not help me in view of Il Lombardia, but I think I have a good condition and I will certainly give everything I can.”
 
Matthew White – Head Sport Director
“Obviously the absence of Simon Yates forces us to change our race tactics. However, the goal remains to be protagonists and to animate the race from the very beginning, for example by entering the main breakaway of the day.
 
Saturday will certainly be a special day for Tanel Kangert who, after 15 seasons among the professionals, will enjoy the last race of his career and also for our young Swiss rider Alexander Balmer who will make his debut in this great classic.”
 
Il Lombardia Race Details:
Saturday, 8th October: Bergamo – Como, 253km