The cycling world has its eyes on the start of the Tour de France but before we get to the battle in France, the national champion’s jerseys will have to be distributed. Two of the most exciting battles will take place in Italy and Belgium when Vincenzo Nibali and Jens Debusschere will be targeting another year in two of the most prestigious cycling jerseys. You can follow both races on CyclingQuotes.com.

Last year the Italian championships marked the turnaround for Nibali. After a horrible spring and a mediocre Dauphiné, the Astana captain was flying in the battle for the Italian tricolor which he conquered after a great duel with Davide Formolo. This year his season has been similar and so the Italian championships will again be the most important indication of his form.

Things have been made more exciting by a fantastic course that closely emulates the one used for the one-day race Milan-Turin. In the finale, the riders will pass the steep Colle Superga climb twice and as the finish line is located at the top, it is a race for true climbers. Nibali is the big favourite but he will be challenged by riders like Domenico Pozzovivo, Formolo, Diego Ulissi, Franco Pellizotti, Davide Rebellin, Ivan Basso, Manuel Bongiorno, Edoardo Zardini, Ivan Santaromita, Giampaolo Caruso and teammate Michele Scarponi who will all be among the strongest in this kind of finale.

The terrain will be significantly flatter for Sunday’s Belgian championships which is held on a circuit in Tervuren. However, the riders will have to tackle the Horenberg climb no less than 14 times during the 252km race and at the end of such a long race, it will create a selection. It is the general perception that a bunch kick is unlikely and instead many point to classics riders like Tom Boonen, Greg Van Avermaet and Sep Vanmarcke as the favourites.

Starting on Saturday at 14.45 CEST you can follow the Italian championships here. Starting on Sunday at 13.45 CEST you can follow the Belgian championships here.