RCS Sport has announced the route for the 2020 edition of Il Lombardia, which will take place from Bergamo to Como on August 15, an Italian holiday. The route is almost identical to last year's, with the Madonna del Ghisallo, Colma di Solmano, Civiglio, and San Fermo della Battaglia climbs remaining.

The Lombardia, usually one of the last races of the season, will be held two months earlier this year than in previous years in October.

The 114th edition will be the fifth World Tour event to be held after racing resumes in late July, following Strade Bianche, Gran Trittico Lombardo, Milan - Torino, Milan - Sanremo, and Gran Piemonte.

The race, dedicated to two-time winner Felice Gimondi, who passed away last August, was announced Wednesday in Bergamo, the epicenter of the COVID-19 in Italy and one of the hardest hit areas in the country.

"Il Lombardia, which takes place on Ferragosto [an Italian holiday], will be particularly tragic," said RCS Sport cycling director Mauro Veni.

"We believe that this year's race will be a great opportunity for us, for the region hosting Il Lombardia, and for all the fans. After this difficult time, we are convinced that it is crucial that we support our riders to get back on the road."

"We decided not to change the route. The route, starting in Bergamo and arriving in Como, has grown into a beautiful tradition that everyone recognizes. We plan to welcome some great international athletes at the start, and we are confident that Il Lombardia will be a fresh start for the cycling world and beyond."

The route tackles the early climbs of Colle Gallo and Colle Brianza and hits the famous Madonna del Ghisallo after 178.9 km of racing.

A 15-km flat section is followed by a steep descent from Solmano, and then the riders plunge into the Civiglio climb, which Bauke Mollema attacked and won last year. The final climb up San Fermo di Battaglia is just 5.4 km from the finish line on the shores of Lake Como.

Bergamo's mayor, Giorgio Gori, welcomed the race as a sign of the return of normal life to the region.

"Even in the crazy year of 2020, Il Lombardia will return to the city of Bergamo.

"Our city and territory will leave behind the tragic events of last spring and reemerge to the world even more beautiful and powerful than before, as a place of art, culture, charm, and great sport. A happy Lombardy to all.

Remco Evenpole (Deceuninck Quickstep) will make his Il Lombardia debut this year, and Mathieu Van der Pol's Alpecin Phoenix team has also been invited. Reigning champion Morema will be on the start line along with Trek Segafredo teammate and two-time winner Vincenzo Nibali, while Evenpohl's teammate Julien Alaphilippe and 2018 winner Thibaut Pinot will also be racing.