Cyclists climbing the steep hills of Lombardy during Il Lombardia

The rolling hills of Lombardy set the stage for the 120th edition of Il Lombardia.

How to Watch Il Lombardia 2026 for Free

The final Monument of the year rolls into October 10, and a VPN can get you there without paying.

Brandon McNulty faces a wide‑open field on Saturday, October 10, as the race of the falling leaves goes live at 4:35 a.m. ET.

With five‑time winner Tadej Pogačar sidelined after his Vuelta crash, the peloton finally has a chance to break his stranglehold.

Isaac del Toro, the Mexican hopeful, admits a mysterious knee injury still lingers, adding a layer of uncertainty to his performance.

Primož Roglič says “it’s possible” Il Lombardia will be his last race.

“It’s possible,” Roglič told reporters, “that Saturday’s Il Lombardia will be the final race of my decorated career.” His words echo a quiet tension that fans can feel in the paddock.

Free streams pop up across Europe and Oceania: Italy’s RAI Play, Australia’s SBS On Demand, Switzerland’s RSI / SRF, Belgium’s RTBF / VRT. If you’re abroad, a VPN like NordVPN can make those feeds appear local.

NordVPN promises lightning‑fast speeds, a 30‑day money‑back guarantee and three extra months free. It’s the go‑to tool for travelers who don’t want to miss a single attack on the climbs.

The race kicks off in the early morning, but the action will stretch well into the afternoon as riders tackle the iconic Madonna del Ghisallo climb and the final descent into Como.

Why Il Lombardia Matters

Il Lombardia caps the season’s five Monument races, each a historic test of endurance and tactics. Unlike the spring Classics, this autumn event rewards riders who can endure fatigue after a long season. A win here can cement a rider’s legacy, especially for those who have never claimed a Monument.

With Pogačar out, the field is stacked with fresh contenders. World road race champion Remco Evenepoel and time trial champion Brandon McNulty both have the power to launch long attacks. Young talents like Paul Sievers and Matteo Jorgenson add unpredictable energy, while veteran Tom Pidcock brings experience on the steep gradients.

For fans, the stakes are personal. Del Toro’s knee could decide whether he finally adds a Monument to his résumé. Roglič’s potential retirement adds a bittersweet note to the race’s narrative.

How a VPN Unlocks Free Access

When you connect to a server in Italy, RAI Play thinks you’re at home and streams the race without a paywall. The same trick works for Swiss, Belgian or Australian broadcasters. Most VPNs hide your IP, encrypt traffic and keep streaming buffers smooth.

Just download the client, choose a server in a supported country, and hit the stream link. If you hit a geo‑block, switch to another server until the feed opens.

What Happens Next

October 10, 2026 — Il Lombardia race day, live from Lombardy, Italy.
October 11, 2026 — Post‑race analysis on major cycling sites, including rider interviews.

Sources & Further Reading

Beyond the headline names, Il Lombardia has a storied past that stretches back to 1905, making it the oldest of the five Monuments. Its routes have evolved, but the race has always favored climbers who can sustain high power outputs on steep gradients, a factor that makes the Madonna del Ghisallo climb a decisive battleground each year.

For viewers outside the broadcast territories, the VPN solution not only bypasses geo‑restrictions but also often improves stream stability by routing traffic through less congested servers. This can be especially valuable during peak viewing times when local ISP bandwidth is stretched thin.

Evenepoel’s recent dominance in time trials suggests he could launch a solo effort on the Ghisallo, a tactic that has paid dividends in past editions. Meanwhile, McNulty’s aggressive riding style may see him in a breakaway early, forcing teams to chase and potentially reshaping the race dynamics.

Historically, the race has produced dramatic finishes, from solo victories to photo‑finish sprints. Fans should keep an eye on the final kilometers in Como, where positioning can make the difference between a podium place and a respectable top‑ten finish.

Finally, while the VPN provides free access, viewers should remain aware of each broadcaster’s terms of service. Using a reputable provider ensures compliance with privacy standards and reduces the risk of accidental exposure to malicious sites that sometimes masquerade as “free streams.”