Tre Valli Varesine 2026 Preview: The Last Test Before Il Lombardia

Tre Valli Varesine returns to its traditional Tuesday slot with a route through the Lombardy hills that culminates in repeated passes over the Picchio climb on the Varese finishing circuit. Tadej Pogacar won the 2025 edition with a solo attack 22 km from the line, confirming the race’s status as a proving ground for the strongest riders in the autumn peloton. The Picchio is short and steep enough to shed pure sprinters but not long enough to guarantee a pure climbers’ race. The 2026 field will feature Lombardia contenders using this as a final sharpener alongside riders who see the race as a result in its own right. Positioning into the final circuit matters as much as the finish, and the winner typically emerges from a reduced group or a well-timed solo move.