The Giro del Trentino was traditionally an important stepping stone for many of the big-name Giro d’Italia contenders, and the Tour of the Alps – the new, longer version of the race created thanks to a tie-up with Tyrol, Sudtirol and Trentino in a cross-border Euro region – will reveal the strength and ambitions of Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing), Geraint Thomas and Mikel Landa (Team Sky), Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), Pierre Rolland, Davide Formolo and Joe Dombrowski (Cannondale-Drapac), with just 18 days before the Grande Partenza of the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia on May 5.
Team Sky seems set to start the Tour of the Alps with the handicap of just six riders instead of the usual eight. Landa and Thomas will have the support of just Pete Kennaugh, Ian Boswell, Philip Deignan and Kenny Elissonde.
Other stand-out names on the final start list include Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R-La Mondiale), Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing), Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Drapac) and Egan Bernal (Androni Giocattoli). Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) has opted to ride the Tour of Croatia that begins on Tuesday due to team sponsorship links to the race.
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The four-day Giro del Trentino started with a team time trial in recent years and often gave the sprinters one chance of success. However, the Tour of Alps is strictly for the climbers, with 10 categorized climbs and 15,600 metres of climbing. The five tough stages between Kufstein in Austria and Trento in Italy, including a visit to the heart of the Dolomites and a finish in Funes, the Passo Mendola and the steep Forcella di Brez in the apple orchards of the Vole di Sole, with the legendary Monte Bondone the final big climb of the race before the fast descent to the finish in Trento. Stage 2 will also cross the Europabrücke – Europe Bridge – one of highest road bridges in Europe, with traffic on the major highway stopped for 30 minutes to give precedence to the race.
Monday’s opening stage finishes with a 3.7km climb that overlooks Innsbruck. The city and the wider Tyrol region will host the 2018 UCI Road World Championships.
Europe has enjoyed a warm and sunny early spring, but a significant change is expected on Tuesday, with a risk of rain and even snow. Race organisers, teams and rider representatives have already studied alternative routes in case the UCI’s Extreme Weather Protocol is needed to protect the riders’ safety and health.
Pinot the overall favourite?
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