Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection for Il Lombardia, a 255km race with plenty of climbing. Dario Cataldo, who won a stage of La Vuelta on one of the toughest summit finishes of the season, was one of the best riders in the 2011 edition of the race. For sure, he will thrive on such a course.
The course features several tough climbs, but none perhaps as punchy as the Muro Di Sormano: 1.92km in length, average ramp of 15.8% and maximum ramps of 25 and 27%. Other climbs include, but are not limited tthe Madonna Del Ghisallo, 8.58km in length with an average ramp of 6.2% and maximum ramp of 14%, and the Salita Di Ello, 3.25km in length, average ramp of 7.4% and maximum ramp of 15 percent.
The peloton will climb to Villa Vegano at the 241.5km point before descending, and then there is a flat, roughly 2.5km ride to the finish.