Tre Valli Varesine 2026 Preview: The Last Test Before Il Lombardia
Tre Valli Varesine 2026 covers roughly 200 km through the Varese hills. The Picchio climb on the finishing circuit decides the race as Lombardia contenders sharpen their form.
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.