Now at its 97th edition – but older than any other bicycle race, having been first run in 1876 – Milano-Torino NamedSport is 140 years old. Previously won by many great cycling champions this race – organised by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport – is an international level Classic end of season cycling battle. The last edition was won by Diego Rosa with an attack on the final ramps of the Colle di Superga.

The cyclist from Piedmont, the Italian Region in which the race ends, said:

"My victory last year in Milano-Torino is always going to be one of the most important days in my career. After the Rio Olympics at the beginning of August I'm starting racing again here in Quèbec and I'm very curious about my form. I'm sure anyway I will do my best in the Classic. As I've shown last year the final Superga climb is perfect for my characteristics, and I will do everything within my ability to come to the race in the best possible shape. The following day I will race GranPiemonte too and in these two races I want to perform at my best, for myself and for all the people of my region that will support me on the roads".

THE COURSE
The route starts in Sesto Ulteriano and rolls across the Po Valley along flat roads, all the way through the Vigevano plains and the Lomellina region, up to Casale Monferrato, where the race profile becomes wavier, with gentle climbs and descents that lead to the final circuit.

The route rolls past San Mauro Torinese and all along the Po River in Corso Casale, where it takes in the first climb to the Basilica of Superga. The road then drops down into Rivodora on a technical descent (diverting 600 metres before the finish) that leads back to San Mauro. Here the route goes up again, all the way to the finish, with gradients exceeding 10%. The fixed feed zone is located in Morano sul Po (km 92-95).

Final kilometres
The last 5 km (to be covered twice, with the exception of the final 600 metres) start in Torino, in Corso Casale, at the foot of the climb that leads to the Basilica of Superga. The average rise is 9.1%, with a mid-climb peak of 14% and long stretches with a 10% gradient. There is a left-hand U-turn 600m before the finish that leads to an 8.2% climb, with one last bend 50 metres before the finish, on 7m wide asphalt road.

TEAMS
18 teams: 11 UCI WorldTeams and 7 UCI Professional Continental Teams of eight riders each:

AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ)
BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
CANNONDALE-DRAPAC PRO CYCLING TEAM (USA)
LAMPRE - MERIDA (ITA)
MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
TEAM GIANT - ALPECIN (GER)
TEAM KATUSHA (RUS)
TEAM SKY (GBR)
TINKOFF (RUS)
TREK - SEGAFREDO (USA)

ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI - SIDERMEC (ITA)
BARDIANI CSF (ITA)
CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA (ESP)
CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE (POL)
GAZPROM-RUSVELO (RUS)
NIPPO - VINI FANTINI (ITA)
WILIER TRIESTINA - SOUTHEAST (ITA)