Giro di Lombardia Review

A great weekend was had by our guests at Villa Poggio for the weekend on the shores of Lake Como. The lucky Rapha competition winner and guest were joined by two members of Rapha staff and long standing customers for an extra special tour. After arriving on Friday morning, guests enjoyed a leisurely lunch by the harbour in Bellagio. Special guest, Eros Poli, shared his memories of professional cycling and his obvious passion for food over some authentic local cuisine. After demonstrating how to wash out your espresso cup with a shot of grappa, Eros led a relaxed afternoon ride round the Larian peninsula.

Dinner at the villa came courtesy of our chef for the weekend, Benjamino. Conversation inevitably turned to Eros' famous win over Mont Ventoux and guests were rapt with Eros' insightful and often humorous account of the his professional career and that magical day in particular. The packed day ended with a final glass of wine out on the terrace watching the moonlight twinkle off the water of Lake Como.

On Saturday morning, a short ferry ride took us over to Cadenabbia from where we were headed for the Passo Intelvi and the first climb of the Giro di Lombardia. After watching the break and then the bunch pedal past, we descended back down and caught a return ferry to Bellagio. Disembarking the ferry, the legendary climb of Madonna del Ghisallo stood between our guests and their lunch. On the climb we were joined by numerous other tifosi climbing the hill before settling on a suitable vantage point to watch the race come past. After a hearty lunch, we had enough time to pick up viewing spot before the leaders, led by Michael Rogers of Columbia, powered past. The lampre-led peleton flashed by a minute later intent on setting up the win for favourite Damiano Cunego. The last hour of the race was caught on the video screen inside the Museo del Ciclismo, with Cunego capitalising on the work of his gregarios with an impressive solo move on the approach to Como. The rest of the afternoon was spent amongst the fascinating exhibits of the museo and in conversation with our knowledgeable guide Mario. For dinner, Benjamino once again did us proud with the perfect fuel for the Granfondo the next day.

Sunday was all about the Granfondo. Excited chatter filled the bus on the way to the start. Each participant seemed eager to repeat the exploits of Cunego on the slopes of Ghisallo or the tortuous descent from Civiglio. Our VIP grid positions put us in the midst of the numerous cycling celebrities taking part including the likes of Stephen Roche and Davide Cassani. The next 140km were a condensed version of the pro race the day before taking in some of the most beautiful cycling roads in Italy; the winding lake-side road overhung by autumn trees, the ascent of the Ghisallo providing breathtaking views across the lake and the cork-screw descent of Civiglio plunging down towards Como. After the finish, anecdotes of the day were exchanged over wine from a cafe on the lungolago. A well earned dinner that evening was had at Ristorante Silvio in Bellagio. Guests enjoyed delicious fresh fish, caught that day by the chef, washed down by glassed of the local red.

A leisurely Monday morning was spent exploring Bellagio and enjoying a coffee down by the old harbour. All too soon it was time to leave the shores of Lake Como and catch a flight home. For 2009,

La Fuga will return to the stunning Villa Poggio for the Giro di Lombardia. Demand was very high this year so book your place now to avoid disappointment! Contact us at info@lafuga.cc