At the Basilica of Superga, a true climbers’ challenge awaits

After breaking the ice at Trofeo Laigueglia and Strade Bianche, and experiencing the intensity and emotions of the Tirreno-Adriatico, Team Polti VisitMalta continues its Italian calendar by taking on the world’s oldest classic: Milano-Torino. This year’s route features a long, flat transfer from western Lombardy to the regional capital of Piedmont, leading up to the decisive double ascent to the Basilica of Superga in the final 25 kilometers.

Still in search of its first top-10 finish in its young history at the Milano-Torino, Polti VisitMalta will be led from the team car by Giovanni Ellena and will rely on a strong lineup of climbers, including Germán Gómez, Mattia Bais and Alex Martín, joined by Davide De Cassan, Pablo Garcia and two riders coming off the corsa dei due mari: Alessandro Tonelli and Andrea Pietrobon.

So far this season, 24-year-old Gómez has only competed in the Colombian National Championships in early February. Here’s what he had to say: “I have high expectations because I’ve trained well at altitude and I’m ready to compete in Europe with my teammates. Plus, tomorrow’s race has a great uphill finish — I can’t wait to be there!”

Sports director Ellena shared his thoughts, too: “Coming off a week where we were competitive among World Tour squads, we want to fight for a strong result and reaffirm ourselves as the leading Italian team.”