PREVIEW: Giro dell'Emilia: Enric Mas will try to defend his title against Pogacar, Roglic and more

The Giro dell'Emilia returns this year with an exciting edition that promises epic challenges in the hills of Italy. In 2022 the victory went to an inspired Enric Mas who beat Tadej Pogacar. This year the startlist is even more spectacular with the addition of the likes of Primoz Roglic;

After two consecutive years of starting in Casalecchio di Reno, the race starts again from Carpi. Although the final destination of the competition remains unchanged, the organizers have prepared an alternative route that takes riders to explore the Bologna region and its surroundings. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the ascent to Samone, a 6-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 7.6%.

With the ascent to Samone, a complicated intermediate stage begins, which we can consider as a prelude to the final stretch. After the first climb, the cyclists stay on a kind of plateau, passing through towns like Zocca and Tolé, before descending to the foot of Monte Nonascoso, a six-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 7.1%.

Once they crest Monte Nonascoso, almost eighty kilometers await them to the finish line in Bologna. That's where they first encounter the famous San Luca climb, a 2.1-kilometer hill with a gradient of 10% that deserves respect. What makes it so tricky? Its length and steep gradients above 10%.

The first meters of this emblematic slope are especially hard, with a gradient of almost 14%. Then, although the gradient "softens" a bit, 10% is still a challenge. As the cyclists pass the last kilometer, they face a left turn under a medieval gate, followed by a series of bends that offer a final dose of suffering with more than 12% gradient and peaks of 16%. After this steep stretch, the worst is over, as the last 500 meters present a more moderate climb at 6%.

After a first pass through San Luca, there are still 37 kilometers to the finish. The cyclists must face another four laps of 9.3 kilometers each, which means four additional climbs to San Luca. The finish line is at the top of San Luca, after a total of 204.1 kilometers of racing.

The Monte Albano Challenge: But that's not all, after the first four passes over the summit of San Luca, the riders face Monte Albano, a 1,200-meter climb with a gradient of 5.5%. Although not scary at first glance, it could be the ideal springboard for a decisive attack. Then, a descent of almost five kilometers awaits them before they reach the foot of the next climb.

FAVOURITES.

This year, all eyes are on the men of the Jumbo-Visma team, especially after their dominance in the recent Vuelta a España and the rumored merger with Soudal Quick-Step. Although Sepp Kuss and Jonas Vingegaard will not take part, the Vuelta's third-place finisher, Primoz Roglic, will be a strong contender. Roglic has already won the Giro dell'Emilia twice, demonstrating his affinity for this race and his impressive explosiveness on the climbs.

However, we can't overlook another Slovenian standout, Tadej Pogacar, who has been a consistent favorite in every competition he enters. While Pogacar is a formidable contender, Roglic arrives in outstanding form after his performance at the Vuelta a España, which could give him the edge in this mountain challenge.

Do not forget that UAE Team Emirates comes with a spectacular team and that men like Adam Yates or Juan Ayuso should not be ruled out for the final victory;

Of course, we must not forget last year's winner, Enric Mas who comes from disappointing in the Vuelta a España and hopes to improve his performance in the Italian semi-classic. Watch out also for Matteo Jorgenson, who hopes to do a last great service to the telephone team once confirmed his departure to Jumbo-Visma and the always dangerous Spanish champion Oier Lazkano.

Another that arrives with its best men is AG2R Citroën that lands with Felix Gall, Ben O'Connor and the Paret-Peintre brothers. BORA - hansgrohe lands with Lennard Kämna, Sergio Higuita and Aleksandr Vlasov and Lidl-Trek with Juanpe Lopez and Giuiio Ciccone.

The INEOS Grenadiers comes with the assets of Carlos Rodríguez, Thymen Arensman and Pavel Sivakov, EF Education with the South American triumvirate Richard Carapaz, Rigoberto Urán and Esteban Chaves and Team Jayco AlUla with Flippo Zana and Simon Yates. Lots of quality. We will see Romain Grégoire or Lenny Martinez can do something for Groupama - FDJ or if Julian Alaphilippe is fit for Soudal Quick-Sep. We highlight to finish Victor Lafay, from Cofidis. In Israel, Michael Woods, Domenico Pozzovivo or Jakob Fuglsang could give something to talk about;

Prediction Giro dell'Emilia 2023:.

*** Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar
** Enric Mas, Adam Yates, Simon Yates
* Juan Ayuso, Matteo Jorgenson, Felix Gall, Lennard Kämna, Aleksandr Vlasov, Carlos Rodríguez, Victor Lafay

Pick: Primoz Roglic