Giro di Lombardia is coming to SBS

The Giro di Lombardia starts in Como and finishes in Bergamo after 240km and 4400 metres of total elevation.

Vincenzo Nibali is the defending champion of Il Lombardia. Source: Supplied

The race starts in Como with a classic first section that culminates with the Ghisallo climb from Bellagio. It's a traditional passage, featuring gradients up to 14 per cent.

The route will then go through Asso, Pusiano and Oggiono before climbing Colle Brianza, going through the Alta Brianza and the Meratese and entering the Province of Bergamo at Calusco d’Adda.

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Torre de’ Busi marks the start of the Valcava climb which features a 9.6km climb at a 9 per cent gradient on mountain roads with 14 hairpins. The descent leads to Costa Valle Imagna, then Ponte Giurino.

A new climb of Sant’Antonio Abbandonato is next followed by the ascent of Miragolo San Salvatore, also featuring for the first time in Il Lombardia. Both are tough with difficult inclines along narrow and challenging roads.

After a short descent the next climb is toward Selvino, followed by a long descent with hairpins, 9km away from the classic passage in Bergamo's Città Alta before the finish line in the city's main Sentierone road.

"We've decided to add in the finale two brand new climbs, Sant’Antonio Abbandonato and Miragolo San Salvatore," race director, Stefano Allocchio said.

"That will make the course even more selective. Other key climbs will be the Madonna del Ghisallo, the first one to be faced in this edition, Colle Brianza, Valcava and in the finale Selvino and the classic Bergamo Alta short punchy climb, just a few kilometres from the finish line."

Giro di Lombardia profile. Source: Supplied

The field will be filled by 25 teams of eight riders each, and will include 18 from the UCI WorldTour plus seven UCI Professional Continental Teams wild cards.