Christian Scaroni is having an incredible end to the season. After the impressive feat in Slovenia that earned him a stunning European bronze medal, he has carved out a starring role in the Italian classics. Seventh in the Tre Valli, but above all an eighth place in yesterday's Lombardia, an extremely tough race in which we saw him attacking.

During the climb towards the Ghisallo, over 60 km from the finish, Christian tried to insert himself into the attempt launched by the American trio Simmons, McNulty and Jorgenson, he played his cards and then remained with more fancied names in the decisive phases of the race, playing all his trump cards. "On the Ghisallo I wanted to try, for some it may have seemed like a somewhat reckless move, but I knew I was being beaten by certain riders and the only solution was to attack early. As soon as I saw Simmons attack I followed him, but behind the Red Bull immediately started pulling and I understood that for us there would be no hope. On the Civiglio the race exploded and I had to manage myself, fortunately I got back with Remco who did the hard work on the flat. We tried to close the gap on Ciccone and Mas, on the descent we had about ten seconds advantage, but it was difficult to make up ground, then in the last two kilometers everyone thought about their own sprint" Christian tells us, coming out of the classic of dead leaves satisfied with his performance and with confirmation that he can compete at the highest level.

At the start of the classic of dead leaves Christian had been quite clear: aim for a top ten finish. The eighth place should not be read simply as a personal goal achieved but rather as something a bit bigger. Despite the fatigue of recent days and a course not at all suited to his characteristics, Christian was there. "The Lombardia is not a race for me, there are climbs too long for my characteristics, but I wanted to test myself, I believe I've shown that I can hold my own on all terrains. This morning the objective was to hit the top ten, but then anything can happen during the race. I'm satisfied, my condition was good and I never had a moment of weakness, perhaps if I have a small regret it's the final sprint for fourth place, I didn't find a gap to get a better placing, but given how the race had gone I can only be happy".

The rider from Brescia's season doesn't end with the Lombardia, however. Still awaiting him are the Giro del Veneto and the Veneto Classic, two opportunities to try to finish the season in the same way he started it: by winning.