PREVIEW | Giro dell'Emilia 2024 - Battle on 16% climb circuit between Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic

On the 5th of October the peloton will be in Italy for one of the most prestigious and spectacular classics of the year. The non-World Tour level Giro dell'Emilia will feature a world-class field and pack a very difficult route ending atop the famous San Luca climb. We preview the race ahead.

The route will be 215.5 kilometers long and follow a traditional format. The start of the race is flat and gradually becomes harder. Before even arriving to Bologna the riders face three ascents, the last of which 3.3 kilometers long at 9% which may do some damage or even see attacks in the peloton. But without a doubt the main fireworks will be saved for the final circuit.

There will be five laps (and ascents) of the Santuario di San Luca which is 2.1 kilometers long at 9.4% (maximum 16%) that end with 37, 27, 18 and 9 kilometers to go, and then coincides with the finish line. Between the climbs is another small hilltop that is 1 kilometer long and a very fast descent; with no flat sections between the climbs. The final 40 kilometers are brutal and provide terrain for the strongest climbers to make the difference.

*** Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic
** Enric Mas, Remco Evenepoel, David Gaudu
* Eddie Dunbar, Simon Yates, Antonio Tiberi, Michael Woods, Bauke Mollema, Giulio Ciccone, Ben Healy, Matteo Jorgenson, Juan Ayuso, Adam Yates, Jay VIne, Tom Pidcock, Stephen Williams, Domenico Pozzovivo

Pick: Primoz Roglic