Upcoming: 8th Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi Bartali, March 25-29, 2008

The 8th Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi Bartali runs this week from Tuesday through Sunday, providing a glimpse at the Grand Tour contenders for later in the year. There are some big stage race names entered in the event, and each will test himself on a course that features a little bit of everything: climbs, flats, and an all-important time trial.

Stage one is broken into two half-stages, 1a and 2a. 1a is a 95 kilometer test that features some small, steep climbs and a straight finish. This should be a stage for the sprinters, with Danilo Napolitano, Vincenzo Nibali or Salvatore Commesso the likely victors. Stage 2a is an 11.8 kilometer time trial, where the Grand Tour contenders will look to test themselves against the clock. Look for Janez Brajkovic or Vladamir Gusev of Astana, or Tour de France front runner Cadel Evans to come good against the clock.

Brajkovic will continue building for the Tour de Georgia, where he'll hope to defend his 2007 title

For stage two the field will tackle a good climb before descending into Faenza following a winding downhill approach. This is a good stage for an attack, where Stefano Garzelli may have a go, or possibly Paride Grillo of the CSF Group Navigare team.

Stage three is one for the climbers, featuring several tough climbs, including the category 1 climb to Baragizzo, site of many great moments in the Giro d'Italia and the Giro d'Emilia. This day will be one for Gilberto Simoni, who is preparing for what could be his last Giro, or maybe Daniele Contrini, the 33 year old Tour de Georgia stage winner.

No leaves on trees reveals that it is still cycling's early season

The fourth stage is a pancake-flat jaunt through the Italian countryside which will surely end in a sprint. Unless a large group gets away, expect an exciting bunch gallop to end the stage. The next day the climbs return, and riders will tackle the tough Montegibbio climb three times on the way to the finish. The climb, while only 1.9 kilometers, averages about 17%. Stage five should provide the fresh legs in the field with the opportunity to gain some time and perhaps the win in the town of Sassuolo.

Although it does not feature an all-star field, the Settimana Coppi Bartali is an important step for those riders looking to hone their form ahead of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. It is also an opportunity for riders to rebuild their form ahead of the hilly Ardennes classics. Finally, the race provides riders that don't excel in the chilly northern classics with a chance to get all-important race kilometers in their legs before the early season is gone.

Evans will hope for all systems go at the Coppi Bartali, as he continues his quest for the Tour de France title in July