Giro di Lombardia 2017: the route

This year’s course is largely a return to the route used in 2015, with 4,000m of climbing packed into the 247km route from Bergamo to Como.

The highlights include the iconic Madonna del Ghisallo climb (8.6km at 6.2 per cent) and the Muro di Sormano, or the “Wall of Sormano” if you prefer – the brutally steep 1.9km ascent with an average gradient of 15.8 per cent.

Both feature more than 50km from the finish line, however, and so while they will doubtless be used as platforms to attack, it is the Civiglio (4.2km at 9.7 per cent) and, less than 6km from the finish, San Fermo della Battaglia (2.7km at 7.2 per cent) that will be more decisive.

The final five kilometres are downhill off the final climb into Como, rewarding those as adept at going down as going up – hence Vincenzo Nibali claiming victory two years ago.

Another rider in good form this autumn – continuing from a strong season – is Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac).

Uran was third at this race for the third time last season, and warmed up for his bid to finally reach the top step of the podium with Milano-Torino victory on Thursday.

The big difference between the two iconic races, of course, is Milano-Torino finishes with a big climb while Lombardia comes down to a descent.

But the Colombian’s legs are clearly there, and the Tour de France runner-up will definitely be at the sharp end.

Alexandre Geniez (Ag2r-La Mondiale) also warmed up for Il Lombardia with an Italian Classic victory – triumphing at the Tre Valli Varesine – but it is the runner-up from that race who may be worth a closer look too.

After his maiden attempt to ride both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the seam season ended with him abandoning the latter, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) has bounced back well.

He won the Tour de l’Ain and, alongside second at Tre Valli Varesine, was in the top ten at the Giro dell’Emilia and Milano-Torino.

Elsewhere, last year’s runner-up Diego Rosa (Team Sky) is one of a number of options for Team Sky in this year’s race.

Michal Kwiatkowski has a Monument to his name already this season, winning at Milan-San Remo, and was in supreme form at the Tour de France earlier this year too.

Gianni Moscon has showcased his all-round ability to great effect, not least in supporting Chris Froome to Vuelta a Espana victory, while another key Vuelta domestique, Wout Poels, was sixth at Milano-Torino and is looking for a second Monument victory after winning last year’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

They also have Mikel Landa and Mikel Nieve riding what is likely to be their final races for Team Sky. Strength in depth does not even begin to cover it, and yet big one-day wins – despite Poels and Kwiatkowski’s recent triumphs, still remain rare for Team Sky.

Wrapping up the list of contenders is a number team with phenomenal strength in depth – including two former winners.

Dan Martin (QuickStep Floors) won the race in 2014, while team-mate Philippe Gilbert triumphed in 2009 and 2010.

The latter already has a monument win to his name this season, from the Tour of Flanders, and victory on Saturday would be the fifth time in his career the 35-year-old has claimed one of pro cycling’s biggest one-day prizes.

Martin and Gilbert will be joined on the Bergamo startline by Julian Alaphilippe, meanwhile – the Frenchman fresh from a stage win at the Vuelta a Espana.

The nature of the course, and it’s position in the calendar as a sort of ‘last chance saloon’ for many riders looking to end the season with a victory, means all manner of different riders could win, in truth.

From pure climbers like Nairo Quintana (Movistar) to attack-minded rouleurs in the mould of Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal), the race may well come down to a solo, well-timed attack but you can be certain there will be scores of riders trying their luck before then.