Van der Poel also does fifth 2024 Monument after World Championship and hears Ten Dam is saving wildcard for him

Van der Poel raced less than ever in 2024 but was present when the big races on the calendar were there. In Sanremo, he helped Jasper Philipsen to the win after winning by himself last year. He won the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix with the rainbow jersey before proving in Liege that he could also handle a tough climbing classic. He finished third.

Lombardia is even more challenging, but Van der Poel is up for the challenge. He already did it once in 2020 and surprisingly finished tenth. Due to a dramatic mudslide in the area of Lombardia, the organization has chosen a different format this year, with a less difficult finale, which may be a good chance for Van der Poel to excel in the finishing city of Como.

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A week before the Tour of Lombardy, to be held on Oct. 12, the World Gravel Championship in Leuven is on the agenda. Van der Poel indicated earlier that there's a good chance he'll start there, and they have heard the same from the organization. Director Laurens ten Dam let Cyclingnews know that the last wildcard for the event is waiting for the world champion on the road and in the cyclocross. "It will be a last-minute decision."

"I have ten wildcards and am saving one for Mathieu," said Ten Dam, who among the women is already showing off Puck Pieterse, Marianne Vos, and Lorena Wiebes on the start list. "I use the wildcards purely for pros from the WorldTour and ProTour, who have a tough schedule on the road, which has prevented them from qualifying for this World Championship."