Top talents Visma, UAE, Lidl-Trek, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, and Belgian title defender compete in Giro Next Gen

Last year, the overall victory in the Giro Next Gen went to Jarno Widar of Lotto, who will defend his title. Stage wins went to Jakob Soderqvist (Lidl-Trek), Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) twice, Steffen De Schuyteneer and Widar twice on behalf of Lotto, the later European champion Huub Artz (Intermarché-Wanty) and Visma | Lease a Bike gem Matthew Brennan.

This season, the riders will again be presented with a varied course. The race starts with an 8.4-kilometer time trial in Rho, followed by stage two in Cantu, which is likely to be a sprinter's stage. In stage three, the GC contenders must show their true colors, as the finish is scheduled on the Passo del Maniva (13.2 km at 6.9%). This will be followed by a transition stage to Salsomaggiore Terme.

Days five and six could also go either way, followed by the queen stage to Prato Nevoso. This climb is seven kilometers long with an average gradient of 7.3 percent. Unlike the ‘real’ Giro, we won't take it easy after that because the final stage around Pinerolo features several very steep climbs.

The list of participants is packed with talent. As mentioned, Widar, who has won his last three races, will defend his title. Widar, who is still officially riding for Lotto's U23 team, went to altitude training for the first time in his career in preparation for this Giro Next Gen.

There will undoubtedly be tough competition. Visma | Lease a Bike will be represented by Jorgen Nordhagen, who is already thirteenth in this year's Tour de Romandie. Lidl-Trek's top talent Albert Withen Philipsen, sixth in Eschborn-Frankfurt and recently third in the Tour of Hungary, has also set his sights on the Giro Next Gen.

UAE Emirates-XRG will field Adria Pericas, while Decathlon AG2R will play Aubin Sparfel. The Frenchman recently recorded his first professional victory in the Tour du Finistere at the age of 19. Junior world champion Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) will also be competing, as will Jakub Ormzel (Bahrain Victorious), Felix Orn-Kristoff (Intermarché-Wanty), Noah Hobbs (EF), and Pau Marti of Israel-Premier Tech. All of them are names from which we can expect to hear a lot more in the coming years.