"IL Lombardia" Documentary Released Today

The critically acclaimed Dutch documentary "Il Lombardia" (the race was previously named Giro di Lombardia) is now available on iTUNES with Italian and English subtitles. The film, starring Robert Gesink, Paolo Bettini, Karsten Kroon, Jo de Roo, Johnny Hoogerland and Michael Boogerd is an attempt to capture the heart and soul of this legendary Italian bike race. Il Lombardia premiered at the Dutch Film Festival in 2011 and received stunning reviews.

IL LOMBARDIA, is digitally released, exclusive on iTunes, beginning today:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/il-lombardia/id710747220

Plot:
When the heavy scent of autumn starts filling the air, the falling leaves and inevitable showers announce one the toughest cycling classics. With its winding roads and steep slopes of 14% maximum, the Il Lombardia, also known as the 'Classic of the falling leaves', is pro cycling season's grand finale (tobe held Sunday).

The century-old race in the Italian hills surrounding Lake Como has been won by Italian cycling heroes Coppi, Bartali and Moser. And also legends like Merckx, Hinault and Kelly made it to the podium. The 1962 edition is by far the toughest in the history of the race and was won by Dutchman Jo de Roo.

Still every year Dutch pro cyclists participate to be a part of this great cycling tradition and in the end to gain victory.

Just with one simple camera Dutch director Johannes Sigmond and producer Robert Jan van Noort visited the race from 2006 to 2010 in an effort to capture the soul of this legendary Italian bike race. They filmed and talked to Dutch participants, visited the famous climbs and tasted the atmosphere among Italian cycling fans enjoying their monumental meals and espresso while waiting for hours on the side to catch a glimpse of the riders.


Digital release (world wide): October 2013

Genre: Documentary

Length: 48 minutes

Language: Dutch, Italian

Subtitles: English, Italian, Dutch

Cast: Robert Gesink, Paolo Bettini, Karsten Kroon, Jo de Roo, Johnny Hoogerland, Angelo Zomegnan, Michael Boogerd

Director: Johannes Sigmond

Executive Producer: Robert Jan van Noort

Studio: Pankra & Polka Dot Jersey

Original soundtrack: Blaudzun

Premiere release: October 2011 (Official selection Dutch Film Festival)



Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN or receive an email when new content is added using the "Follow by Email" button on the right side column. With more than 3,000 stories in this blog the custom search feature (right column) works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button underneath the search button.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.   

Clarified: The Future of Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia

The statements made by Michele Acquarone, Managing Director at RCS Sport, that were quoted in the Dutch De Telegraaf newspaper have been clarified by Acquarone. "My friends of the Telegraaf have exaggerated my thoughts but the substance of what they have written is correct. My comments were much wider than what was reported and which covered the problem of overcrowding on the racing calendar, and the overlap of important races. For example, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. But, I want to add that Tirreno-Adriatico is a flagship event for RCS Sport and our aim is to give it the right visibility. For years we have a cast that is better than Paris-Nice but we have to collide with the force of ASO (the Tour de France organizer) and the contracts that are "imposed" on broadcasters. We are not so powerful but with the new agreement signed with IMG we hope to move forward. We cannot sit still and suffer forever. "

Acquarone continued regarding moving Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia to Sundays rather then the Saturdays when they are held now, "There are those who are studying the problem to ensure that our races are seen by all. Our intent is to further enhance our great heritage, not wasting it."

"The future is now," continued Acquarone. "The UCI has already opened discussions to study how to solve the problem of the calendar and it has already held a first meeting in Paris which was attended by Mauro Vegni. And I'm sure we can reach a good solution for the UCI, for RCS Sport and cycling. These are my thoughts: the Telegraaf exaggerated some comments but I want to be clear that Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia will not be touched other than on the calendar."

Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,500 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page .  

The Movie: IL LOMBARDIA

Coming in October, 2011, is a new Dutch movie, "IL LOMBARDIA" featuring Robert Gesink, Paolo Bettini, Karsten Kroon, Michael Boogerd, Johnny Hoogerland, and Jo De Roo. The teaser website is www.illombardia.com; this is the dutch trailer, there will be a trailer (and the movie) with Italian and English subtitles as well.

The Giro di Lombardia professional race, one of the five "monuments" of the one day classics, is also known as the "Race of the Falling Leaves" ("classica delle foglie morte") as it is normally held in October. Originally called the Milano-Milano when it was first held in 1905, it became the Giro di Lombardia in 1907. The only years when it has not been held were 1943 and 1944, when it was interrupted by World War II.

Photos: © Philip van der Ploeg

Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,900 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.