Irish Champion Sam Bennett heads into the 101st edition of the race as one of the riders to watch.
Milano-Torino – the oldest race in the world – has an altered course this year, which will give sprinters an opportunity to test their legs ahead of Saturday’s Milano-Sanremo, the season’s first Monument. The 198km course between Mesero and Stupinigi will be flat except for the crossing of Monferrato, where the riders will face a series of short climbs that won’t have any impact on the outcome.
Victorious on stage 3 of the Vuelta a Burgos after a canny attack inside the final kilometer, Sam Bennett will lead Deceuninck – Quick-Step at the race created back in 1876, his confidence buoyed by last week’s spectacular win. Completing the team will be Bennett’s regular lead-out men Shane Archbold and Michael Mørkøv, Tim Declercq, Ian Garrison, Mikkel Honoré, and Yves Lampaert.
“For many, the race will be a rehearsal for Milano-Sanremo and a good opportunity to see where they are ahead of Saturday’s important appointment. It’s a new parcours which will change everything, except our desire to be again in the mix and get a good result. Sam Bennett is naturally our leader, he’s coming at the start after a very impressive victory in Burgos and will be supported by a solid team and an experienced lead-out train”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.
