‘Gran Piemonte’ (1.Pro) is the traditional classic before the final ‘Monument’ of the season, Il Lombardia, and this year it will serve as especially fitting preparation for riders targeting ‘The Race of the Falling Leaves’, as the course does not favour the fast men.
Thursday’s 109th edition runs 179.4 km from Dogliani to Acqui Terme, with 2,743 metres of elevation gain and four categorised climbs.
“In past editions, the course was often easier and suited more to sprinters,” explains Sports Director Roman Kreuziger. “This year, they’ve designed a very demanding route in a beautiful area, with a hilly and technical profile. Riders will face narrow, twisting roads and constant undulations, which will make the race exciting. It will be perfect for riders with a good punch and climbing ability, especially on the tough final circuit.”
The start in Dogliani is in the scenic landscape of UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Langhe hills. The course then winds through the Langhe and Monferrato regions, taking in multiple climbs of varying length. Among these, the Bric della Forma and Rocchetta Palafea stand out, before a final circuit which includes two ascents of the Castelletto d’Erro (11% average gradient, with pitches up to 15%). A fast and technical descent back into town sets up the decisive finale in the spa town of Acqui Terme in southern Piedmont. After passing through the ‘Bagni’ area, the peloton will cross the River Bormida before heading into the town centre along a long, straight avenue with a gentle uphill drag. The finishing straight is 450 m long, with a steady 4% gradient.
“Positioning on the smaller roads will be vital,” continues Kreuziger. “We have a mixed line-up, with riders like Robert Stannard and Fred Wright suited to the flatter sections, alongside some strong climbers. I strongly believe Lenny Martinez didn’t have his best day on Tuesday at Tre Valli, but in Gran Piemonte he should be ready to follow the best on the steep 3 km climb which averages around 9%.”
“If it comes down to a reduced bunch sprint, we have Edoardo Zambanini, who has shown excellent form recently, and Matej Mohorič, who is also eager to perform ahead of Sunday’s Gravel World Championships. It’s a well-balanced team, with Damiano Caruso as road captain. We’ve made a last-minute change after Nicolò Buratti’s crash at Bernocchi — he will be replaced for Gran Piemonte by Rainer Kepplinger, who is returning to racing. It’s great to see him back, and I’m confident he can show his strength on the climbs.”
“The most important thing is that the riders are not just passengers — they must race proactively and be involved in the key moves. Once you’re in the right rhythm and attitude, results follow. As a team, we’re aiming for a top-five result, but of course, when you aim for the top five, you always hope for even more. Let’s cross our fingers and hope for a better result after the last two Italian races we had.”
