A rainbow jersey was the first across the finish line at the 2025 Tre Valli Varesine. It was worn by Tadej Pogačar, with the Slovenian rider of UAE Team Emirates XRG bringing the rainbow colours back to victory in the Varese classic after 47 years.
The previous World Champion to win the Binda classic was Francesco Moser in 1978, when he triumphed on the track at the Masnago velodrome. Even earlier, in 1968, Eddy Merckx had been the first to cross the finish line on the Varese track.
Last year, Tadej Pogačar arrived alone on Via Sacco in Varese. In his previous Tre Valli Varesine victory, in 2022, he outsprinted a small group, with Colombia’s Sergio Higuita finishing second and Spain’s Alejandro Valverde third.
The centenary edition, meanwhile, was won by Alessandro De Marchi, ahead of Davide Formolo and Tadej Pogačar.
Over the past decade, the race’s roll of honour has been enriched by some of the most important names in international cycling, including Primož Roglič (2019), Sonny Colbrelli (2016) and Vincenzo Nibali, who won in Varese wearing the Italian national champion’s jersey in 2015.
Another name that deserves to be remembered is Davide Rebellin, winner in 2011 after his first triumph in 1998.
The 2007 edition, meanwhile, is remembered as the year of the deluge. Anyone who was there on 21 August cannot have forgotten that edition of the race. It was contested under pouring rain from the very first to the very last kilometre, with just nineteen heroes making it to the finish in Varese. Cristian Murro took the victory ahead of Bertolini.
Of the 104 editions held so far, only seventeen have been won by foreign riders, while Giuseppe Saronni and Gianni Motta share the record for the most victories, with four wins each.
The first edition of the “Circuito delle Tre Valli Varesine” was held on 22 June 1919. The winner, Pietro Bestetti, covered the 100-kilometre course at an average speed of 32.600 km/h.
Ten years later, the Società Ciclistica Alfredo Binda was founded and, in 1929, organised the Tre Valli Varesine for the first time. This was the first edition reserved for professional riders, with Ambrogio Morelli taking the victory and Varese-born Augusto Zanzi finishing fourth.
Many kilometres have been ridden since those early days, but the fascination surrounding the race organised by the red-and-white club has remained unchanged.
Over the years, the Tre Valli Varesine has changed its routes and its start and finish locations. On many occasions, the race has moved away from the provincial capital, bringing the excitement of the event to other towns and cities such as Angera, Busto Arsizio, Borgomanero, Sesto Calende, Luino, Cuvio, Cadrezzate, Cassinetta di Biandronno, Gallarate, Ispra, Lavena Ponte Tresa, Malnate, Besozzo and Campione d’Italia.
A race that has reached the highest levels of international cycling, with a roll of honour featuring prestigious names such as Bartali, Coppi, Leoni, Magni, Defilippis, Zilioli, Basso, Merckx, Moser, Bontempi, Ballerini, Ghirotto, Guidi, Rebellin, Celestino, Di Luca, Garzelli and, most recently, Pogačar.
Sergio Gianoli
September 2026