Jarno Widar hits the wall in elite Il Lombardia debut
Jarno Widar crossed the finish line in 13th place at the 2026 Il Lombardia after emptying his tank on the final climb of the Italian monument. The 20-year-old Lotto-Intermarché rider hung with the elite group for the bulk of the 200-plus kilometer race before cracking in the final kilometers.
He told reporters he was completely drained and experiencing tunnel vision as he pushed toward the finish line.
Distance and reality catch up in the closing stages
The demanding Italian classic tested the Monument debutant over a distance far exceeding anything he had previously tackled.
While Lotto-Intermarché sports director Kurt Van de Wouwer expressed confidence ahead of the race that the extra distance would not deter the young Belgian, reality caught up with Widar in the closing stages.
Speaking to Sporza after the race, Widar used blunt terms to describe his physical state: I am completely done for. On the final climb I completely emptied my tank, and it was a bit like riding with black light to the finish.
He added that he lacked awareness of his final placing as he fought just to keep moving forward in the closing kilometers.
Pre-race predictions meet the Civiglio climb
Before the race, Widar had correctly identified the primary section of the course.
In pre-race comments reported by Wielernieuws, he pointed to the penultimate ascent—the Civiglio, measuring four kilometers at a 10 percent gradient—as his primary hurdle.
He noted that a 10-to-12-minute effort on such a climb might stretch his limits by four or five minutes.
Chasing groups and the generational battle
While Widar finished 13th overall, fellow countryman Remco Evenepoel navigated the technical descents and positioning battles in the chasing group.
Evenepoel had acknowledged Widar’s strong form earlier in the week at the Tre Valli Varesine but noted that a full-length Monument presented distinct challenges involving heavy positioning work and demanding descents.
Widar ultimately missed the selection in the group containing Evenepoel and Ramses Debruyne, which sprinted for fourth place.
Looking ahead after a sobering finish
Reflecting on his standing among his peers, Widar dismissed age as an excuse, noting that fellow 20-year-old Paul Seixas secured the overall victory.
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