Giuseppe Martinelli is already preparing the 2016 Giro d'Italia.

The start is still several months away but the Astana manager has already checked the 20th stage of the Italian grand tour which links Guillestre with Sant'Anna di Vinadio . It is one of the decisive days, perhaps the most challenging stage, with ascents of the Col de Vars , the Col de la Bonnette and the Col de la Lombarde shortly before the final ascent. 

"The final is not too challenging in itself," the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "But you should consider that it will come at the end of the Giro so it may still do some damage. In particular, the final climb with four kilometers at 7.8% is not hard. The problem will be the three climbs earlier in the stage as they total 65 kilometers."

2013 champions Vincenzo Nibali is likely to be the Astana leader in the race.