Michael Woods was the favorite to win Il Lombardia on Saturday after an aggressive ride on the Superga climb and an impressive Milan-Torino victory in the shadow of the famous sanctuary overlooking Turin.

Woods, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Saturday, is ready to celebrate it by riding 243 kilometers of tough uphill Lombardia north of Milan under the falling leaves of Italian autumn. A win in Como would be the ultimate gift and a fitting end to the 2019 season. After celebrating on the podium with [Alejandro] Valverde (Movistar) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott)

, he said, "After this result I feel that I must be considered one of the favorites to win Lombardia. But I have never had a big result in Lombardy and I have never been in the top 10. My next goal is to win."

Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma), who won the Giro delle Miglia last Saturday and the Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday, stands out as a player in great form. Both Valverde and Woods named the Vuelta a España winner as the one to beat at Il Lombardia.

"I saw a great video that was dropped on him at the Giro delle Miglia. It was titled 'Robocop' and he looked like a robot. He did it effortlessly, and it was pretty disheartening to look at his face and see no expression of pain," Woods said, showing no sign of resignation.

"He's going to have a hard time, especially against a team that strong.

Woods was tempted to miss Milan-Torino with Lombardia looming. However, knowing that this flat race across the plains of the Piedmont was a steady ride in the peloton and that only the last 30 km would be a full race, he decided to respect the 100th Italian race. It was the last test to boost morale before Saturday.

"I had my doubts about riding Milan-Torino near Lombardia, but at the same time the finish to Sperga suited me and was difficult to pass. This climb favors the aggressive rider."

Woods attacked early on the climb, trying to pull away from the race and his rivals. David Gaudou (Groupama-FDJ) was equally aggressive, launching seven surges in the last three kilometers of the climb. Woods responded to all of them and set up a few of his own.

Valverde and Egan Bernal (Team Ineos) repeatedly pulled back the chase group of Woods and Gaudo, but Woods went deeper and faster, pulling away from Valverde with 400m to go to secure his first career one-day victory.

"When you go on the offensive, you put pressure on the other players. That was my goal, to always be in the lead," Woods said. I think that worked out well."[21