Evenepoel puts Il Lombardia disappoinntment behind as a special guest to Serie A football match
Remco Evenepoel did not have a perfect edition of Il Lombardia. The 2026 race saw the Belgian once again struggle to perform to his very best level, and only managed tocling onto a 4th positionin a group sprint behind the podium finishers.
Afterwards, the European champion did not immediately head home, nor off to holidays. Instead, he extended his stay in Como.
The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider, accompanied by his wife Oumi, attended a match featuring the local football club, Como 1907. Brandon McNulty, the newly crowned road race world champion and 5th at the last Monument of the season, was also present; the American attended the game with his wife, Summer.
The two cyclists, as part of celebrations of Lombardia's 120th edition in Como, received special welcome. Before kick-off of a Serie A match against AS Roma, Evenepoel and McNulty were each presented with a Como 1907 jersey.
However Evenepoel was not caught off-guard, and repaid the honors with a gift of his own: he presented the club's president with a rainbow jersey as a memento of his world time trial title. A welcome change of pace for Evenepoel For both cyclists, the chance to enjoy a sporting event from the spectator's seat was a welcome change of pace after what has been a rather eventful year.
Even though not everything worked out to Evenepoel's plan, he still enjoyed great success this season. The 26-year-old won Amstel Gold Race, Clasica San Sebastian, Grand Prix de Québec, became time trial world champion, andcompleted his collection of Championship titleswith a European road title just week prior to Il Lombardia.
The Belgian also finished second overall at the Tour de France. Il Lombardia itself pointed out to the irregular nature of Evenepoel's performances towards the end of the year.
Just like during the road race in Montréal, he lacked something to step up in Tadej Pogacar's absence and finally win after his two second places in 2024 and 2025. McNulty on cloud nine McNulty enjoys completely different sensations.
The American rider grabbed an unlikely world title with a daring move which, after a 30-kilometer solo, was rewarded with a rainbow jersey and eternal glory for the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider. And although McNulty is yet to honor the rainbow with a victory in the special kit, his 2nd place at Coppa Agostoni and most recently 5th at Il Lombardia are very respectable too.