The Coppa Agostoni is a classic 1.1 Italian one-day race run over 164.9 km on a hilly circuit departing and finishing in Lissone, in the Brianza region of Lombardy. The profile is characterised by rolling, punchy climbs followed by a flat finish, rewarding well-rounded riders who can handle both the hills and a late sprint or small-group dash. It sits within a traditional Lombard autumn block, attracting a competitive field of hill specialists and classics-style puncheurs.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Benoît Cosnefroy stands out as the favourite by combining the highest hills rating in the field with the most directly comparable recent win — stage 1 of the Coppa Sabatini — and four top-5 results in similar-profile races. He is operating in exactly the kind of race where his punch and consistent form translate into results, and UAE Emirates' strength in numbers makes him hard to neutralise.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Benoît Cosnefroy arrives in tremendous form, having won stage 1 of the Coppa Sabatini in similar-profile racing recently, and he adds two more top-3 finishes to that tally. Among the highest-rated hill specialists in this field, the UAE Emirates man is the standout favourite on a hilly circuit finishing in Lissone.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Brandon McNulty and Tim Wellens are the two most credible challengers. McNulty's World Championships road-race stage win demonstrates he can perform on the biggest days, while Wellens brings a long track record in Lombard-style racing and contributes to UAE Emirates' overwhelming presence at the front of this race.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Brandon McNulty brings elite all-round ability — one of the most complete riders in this field across hills and time-trial strength — and his recent win at stage 1 of the World Championships ME Road Race underlines that he is in peak form. Two top-3 finishes in similar-profile races further cement his status as a top contender.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Tim Wellens is one of the finest hill specialists at this race and has translated that into two top-3 results in similar-profile events recently, placing him firmly in the front group of favourites. His UAE Emirates team presence alongside Cosnefroy and McNulty gives the squad exceptional tactical options.
★★
Dark Horses
Andrea Bagioli, Roger Adrià, and Quinn Simmons form a tier of consistent performers in this type of racing. Each has multiple top-5 results in similar-profile events in the past 90 days, and all three ride for teams with the resources to set up an aggressive finale. Bagioli's Tour of Austria stage win is the standout result in this group.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Andrea Bagioli is a strong punchy rouleur who won stage 4 of the Tour of Austria in similar conditions recently and notched a further top-5 in this type of racing. Riding for Lidl-Trek, he is well-suited to a hilly circuit with a flat finish where he can contest a reduced bunch sprint.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Quinn Simmons is a forceful all-rounder rated among the better hill specialists in this field, and his four top-5 finishes in similar-profile racing — including a top-3 — indicate consistent competitiveness in this type of event. Lidl-Trek will be happy to have him as a card to play alongside Bagioli.
Movistar
Movistar
Roger Adrià showed he can compete at this level with a top-3 finish and two further top-5s in similar-profile races in the past 90 days. The Movistar rider has solid hills credentials and the experience to follow the right moves on a day like this.
★
Ones to Watch
Thomas Silva's three recent wins in similar-profile racing make him statistically the hottest rider in the field, but the step up in competition here tempers expectations. Mikel Landa's climbing pedigree and Soudal Quick-Step backing give him upset potential, while Clément Champoussin and Aurélien Paret-Peintre are capable of sneaking into a podium position on the right day.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Aurélien Paret-Peintre has logged three top-10 finishes in similar-profile races recently and is well-rated for this kind of hilly terrain. The Decathlon CMA CGM rider is a credible outsider if he can position himself correctly in the finale.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Clément Champoussin is a versatile puncher with strong hills credentials who tends to fly under the radar in these one-day races. XDS Astana's presence in the Brianza hills with multiple options gives him the freedom to take a flyer if the race opens up.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa is one of the most accomplished climbers in the entire startlist and heads into this race as part of a block of Lombardy-week racing on his schedule. His Soudal Quick-Step leadership role and experience on Italian hilly circuits make him an intriguing wildcard if he arrives in good legs.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Thomas Silva has been the in-form rider in similar-profile races over the past 90 days, posting three wins — stage 3 of the Arctic Race of Norway, stage 1 of the Vuelta a Castilla y León, and stage 1 of the Prueba Villafranca — as well as a fourth top-3 result. His win rate is remarkable but the step up in field quality here means he is a genuine dark-horse threat rather than favourite.
Verdict
Benoît Cosnefroy is the clear top favourite after winning stage 1 of the Coppa Sabatini in comparable conditions, backed by a powerful UAE Emirates team; Brandon McNulty and Tim Wellens are the most dangerous challengers, with the surprise threat of Thomas Silva — who has three recent wins in similar racing — lurking if the race breaks apart.