Around 50 kilometres after the start, the new route takes in the traditional climb to Madonna del Ghisallo, with the steep ramps of up to 17 per cent up to the 1,336 metre high Valcava Pass offering the greatest difficulty. The race then continues up and down over long climbs to Bergamo, where a cobbled steep section into the historic city centre offers good opportunities for a final attack. "The race is so tough that only the best survive. That's what makes the Tour of Lombardy so beautiful," says Addy Engels, the sporting director of Team LottoNL-Jumbo with the captains Robert Gesink and Wilco Kelderman as well as the German Paul Martens.
The organiser RCS has announced a select field: Fabio Aru, Alberto Contador, Philippe Gilbert, Michal Kwiatkowski, Joaquim Rodriguez and Wout Poels are on the provisional start list. Last year's winner Vincenzo Nibali is not listed. The 18 World Tour teams will be at the start, including the German team Giant-Alpecin with Warren Barguil and Simon Geschke. Seven teams were given wildcard entry rights. Team Bora-Argon 18 is not taking part.
Further information about the race on the Website of the event
