Podcast of the Falling Leaves | Episode 25

October 11 | In this episode of The Cycling Podcast, Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe review the final two big one-day races of the 2017 European road racing season.

Vincenzo Nibali seized the initiative on a testing descent to drop Thibaut Pinot and clinch Il Lombardia for the second time in three years. It rounds off a brilliant season for Nibali, who finished on the podium at the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, and completed a fine debut year for his team Bahrain-Merida.

La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Pier Bergonzi suggested Il Lombardia should be moved to the spring so all five of cycling's one-day monuments are in the same part of the season and Lionel tries to mount a stern defence of the idea, but fails.

We also discuss Paris-Tours, a race that is much more than one for the sprinters.

The Cycling Podcast is supported by Rapha and Science In Sport.