Cycling

It was an Il Lombardia for big statements, from a long overdue safety protest to Paul Seixas riding like a real champion – Sean Kelly's Classics column

October 12, 2026

Il Lombardia 2023 became a landmark race not only for Paul Seixas’s historic first Monument victory but also for a bold pre-race safety protest led by the peloton. Riders, frustrated by repeated incidents involving external vehicles and hazardous road conditions, staged a five-minute demonstration before the start, with Remco Evenepoel delivering a statement on the urgent need for UCI intervention.

The protest highlighted growing concerns over tight corners, traffic islands, and unauthorized cars encroaching on race routes—issues that have led to near-misses and, tragically, fatalities. Riders emphasized that while minor risks are unavoidable, the UCI must enforce stricter collaboration with organizers to preemptively address dangers, particularly at race finishes.

The call for action comes after recent crashes, including one during Tre Valli Varesine caused by a vehicle, and the fatality of Finlay Tarling, underscoring the sport’s escalating safety crisis. Seixas, meanwhile, dominated the race to claim his first Monument title, delivering a performance that cemented his status as a rising champion in cycling’s most prestigious events.