The new bike race organized by RCS Sport / La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Roma Maxima (formerly the Giro del Lazio), will see a host of international stars from 16 invited teams taking to the start line on the Roman Forum.

Foremost is the Spaniard, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team), who will be joined by teammate and former Italian champion, Giovanni Visconti. They will be face fierce challenges all the way to the finish line by Columbian Carlos Betancur from team AG2R La Mondiale, and top Italian riders Enrico Gasparotto (Astana), Damiano Cunego (Lampre Merida) and Oscar Gatto (Fantini Vini - Selle Italia).

The route is not likely to suit the out-and-out sprinters, but those with a fast finish who can mix it up on the steep climbs of the Roman hills.

The start will be on the Via dei Fori Imperiali in the centre of Rome, before joining the Appian Way. Eventually, the race returns to an incredible finish on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, in the shadow of the Coliseum.

It will be a unique setting that will certainly bring this prestigious race back to the top tier of global sporting events.

These are the 16 teams invited to the 2013 edition of Roma Maxima:

AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)

ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI (ITA)
ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ)
BARDIANI VALVOLE - CSF INOX (ITA)
BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
CAJA RURAL (ESP)
CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING (ITA)
COLOMBIA (COL)
CRELAN - EUPHONY (BEL)
IAM CYCLING (SUI)
KATUSHA (RUS)
LAMPRE-MERIDA (ITA)
MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
TEAM ARGOS-SHIMANO (NED)
VACANSOLEIL-DCM PRO CYCLING TEAM (NED)
VINI FANTINI - SELLE ITALIA (ITA)