Wheel Talk Newsletter: Is a Race of the Falling Leaves in our future?

The cycling rumour mill, specifically the Escape Collective's "Wheel Talk" newsletter, has recently floated the concept of a women's edition of Il Lombardia, the venerable "Race of the Falling Leaves." While not an official announcement, the growing discussion suggests a significant push within the sport for a women's monument to mirror the autumn classic. This comes amidst a broader trend of expanding the women's calendar, with calls for parity in prestigious events gaining traction.

This isn't merely speculative chatter; it reflects a tangible shift in women's cycling. Following the successful introduction of the women's Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the appetite for a women's monument in the late season is palpable. Il Lombardia, with its challenging parcours and rich history, would provide a fitting capstone to the Women's WorldTour, offering a truly iconic test of endurance and climbing prowess that is currently absent from the autumn calendar.

Should this materialize, it would be another overdue step towards genuine equality in professional cycling, proving that some traditions are indeed worth breaking, or rather, expanding.