Our team returns to the semi-classic created nearly a century and a half ago for the first time since 2012.
Superga, the spectacular hill which overlooks Torino, one of Italy's most important cities, will be the main attraction of Thursday's Milano-Torino, a race which in the past years has enjoyed a revival that saw it become an important fixture on the calendar, thus attracting many top names who stopped here on their way to Il Lombardia.
Held on a 186km-long course, the race should be a quiet one until the final 24 kilometers, when the riders will tackle Superga for the first time. A regular climb, averaging 9.1% over 4.9 kilometers, Superga will thin out the peloton and even see some riders try to attack from afar, in an attempt to build a substantial gap there and on the technical descent that leads back to Torino or to pave the way for their leaders before the second and final ascent of the iconic hill, with five kilometers to go.
Ten days after sparking life into the Bergen World Championships with a big attack that brought him very close to victory, Julian Alaphilippe returns to action in what will be his Milano-Torino debut, a race which teammate Daniel Martin will ride for the first time since 2013, when he placed 11th.
The Irishman – whose never-say-die attitude was put on display throughout the season in both stage races and one-day events – will try to be again among the protagonists in the Italian semi-classic where Quick-Step Floors will rely also on Gianluca Brambilla, Laurens De Plus, Dries Devenyns, Ronde van Vlaanderen champion Philippe Gilbert, Giro d'Italia maglia bianca Bob Jungels and Davide Martinelli.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
Julian Alaphilippe 
