For the third consecutive year, a team time trial will open the Giro del Trentino (22-25 April), according to Tuttobiciweb.it. The race organisers are currently working to complete the route of the 38th edition of the race, which by and large will match the "format" of the past two years.

The route of the inaugural stage will match the one proposed in the 2012 - Riva del Garda to Arco won by BMC Racing Team spearheaded by Taylor Phinney - which was also the first successful experience of the Giro del Trentino with the team time trial. In 2013 the opening formula was repeated in Lienz with the success of Team Sky led by Sir Bradley Wiggins.

The Giro del Trentino has become an event of great prestige and has increasingly proved indispensable for the big names of cycling in their approach to the Giro d’Italia because the race offers offers an ideal mix of time trial, undulating paths and high altitude finishes in just four days.

Last year, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won the Giro del Trentino as part of his preparations for his ultimately successful Giro d’Italia campaign.

Australian Richie Porte (Team Sky) will be looking to copy Nibali’s strategy as Sky’s appointed leader for the Giro this year. The Tasmanian has already highlighted at the Tour Down Under by winning the queen stage and finishing fourth overall, but different and more severe tests are awaiting him at the Giro del Trentino.