The fallen leaves need to be collected with shovels between Bergamo and Como for this first Sunday in October. As evidence of the race’s difficulty, only 99 riders found the strength to finish the 245 kilometer route designed by the Il Lombardia organizers.

Such a result is befitting one of the great monuments of cycling. To take ownership of the race, you must have the full panoply of a champion. Proof that Vincenzo Nibali possesses all which is necessary was confirmed by his winning solo under the warm autumn Italian sun. The Astana rider, well supported by his teammates, managed to drop all of his opponents during a characteristically daredevil descent seventeen kilometers before the finish. Dani Moreno (Katusha) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) chased and followed him into the finish a handful of seconds later.

In this show of force among the major teams of the peloton, IAM Cycling had to be content to highlight its jersey in the breakaway that was caught before the fight among the winners commenced. Willing and courageous in his efforts, Marcel Wyss came away as the best placed IAM Cycling rider in 55th position, while Stef Clement chalked up a 79th place for the Swiss team.

At the time of explanation, Marcel Wyss was candid in his assessment. 

“The Il Lombardia is really a separate race. To get a result here, you have to have all the best qualities. For my part, I was not able to fight at the front, but I had to finish this classic as a way to forget the bad season I have had. I will take some rest to prepare for the 2016 season in order to regain the level I had two years ago.” 

Mathias Frank also promised to return to his best shape in time to tackle a new year in the WorldTour. 

“I never felt comfortable all day. I just had no juice, no legs, and it was illusory to think that I would have a chance to do something special in such a difficult race.” 

As for Jérôme Coppel, his bronze medal in the world time trial championships for 2015 was of no service today. 

“I returned home from Richmond very late since there were problems with my flight. I only got to our team hotel late Saturday night. In addition to that, I have not yet caught up with the sleep that I needed. So I chose to get into the break because it was the best thing for the team, the best way I could help. But we have to recognize that on such a course, one cannot pretend to be fit for long.

"I am still happy with the sort of results I have for the second half of this season, with my title as time trial champion in France, and then having had a good Vuelta, and the bronze medal in the worlds time trial. This will give me the chance to end the season full of motivation for 2016.”

Rubens Bertogliati, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, allowed that his riders were often hampered by extenuating circumstances. 

“We managed to show the jersey thanks to Jérôme Coppel in the break. Then we still had two riders who were able to finish the race. I have to take my hat off to them. In my career, I have never seen such a hard race. It really was a notch too high at this time of year for our guys.”