Two certainties. First: the 61st International Cycling Tour of Valle d'Aosta – Mont Blanc will be extremely tough. Second: at the start line will be the three athletes from the Giro Next Gen final podium, namely Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious Development Team), Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe Rookies) and Pavel Novak (MBH Bank Ballan CSB).

The Belgian Jarno Widar (Lotto) also returns to Valle d'Aosta, who won both the Valdostan classic and Giro Next Gen last year, with a fluctuating performance this year - starting in the pink jersey and then closing the competition with a fall in the penultimate stage (ending in Prato Nevoso, won by Czech Novák) and tears of nervousness roadside. "This year's lineup is top-tier. Everyone is coming to win. And Valle d'Aosta is increasingly identifying itself as an international tour, with the presence of Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe and Lidl Trek Future Racing teams," says Riccardo Moret, president of Valdostan Cycling Society, the association organizing the race. This 61st edition (July 16-20) is structured in five stages covering a total of 498 km and 13 Mountain Grand Prix. The total elevation gain is 11,000 meters, with very little flat terrain.

The first stage is full of ups and downs, from Aosta to Aosta: 85.4 km along the Dora Baltea river. A stage with a maximum point at Col d'Introd (883 meters) with its most aggressive sections at 10%. Stage two is entirely in France. "The International Cycling Tour of Valle d'Aosta is already international in its name, with a focus on Mont Blanc. This year we're reprising a mountain time trial in French territory, as happened in 2018 when Jonas Vingegaard won in Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc – Saint Nicolas de Véroce. Unfortunately, the next day, in the yellow leader's jersey, he fell and was forced to withdraw."

This year the mountain time trial will take place "on a beautiful plateau looking at the top of Europe", from 600 meters above sea level in Passy to 1354 meters in Passy Plaine Joux: 10.5 km with an average gradient of 6.8% and maximum of 14% with a positive elevation gain of 724 meters. The rankings could already change. The subsequent stages are for pure climbers. "A Valle d'Aosta that I consider tough – says Moret - for three consecutive times the finish line is placed at two thousand meters of altitude and even beyond, like in the third stage ending at 2,475 meters at the Colle del San Bernardo. Very long climbs that the French would call bomb-proof."

Third stage therefore from Pré Saint Didier to Col du Grand Saint Bernard in 121.7 kilometers. The toughest section is the last 17 km with peaks at 18%. Already halfway through the route, cyclists will have tackled the climbs of Doues and Verrayes (with peaks at 14%). The stage ends in Swiss territory, in front of the Grand Saint Bernard Hospice, a monastery and refuge where the namesake dog breed was created in mid-1600. A curiosity: under the altar dedicated to Saint Faustina, General Louis Charles Antoine Desaix rests, who died in the Battle of Marengo, won by Napoleon Bonaparte against the Austrians, thanks also to Desaix's men.

Fourth stage. From Saint Pierre to Pont Valsavarenche, the longest stage of the Tour, at 160 km. We enter the Gran Paradiso National Park, hoping for good weather to also enjoy the spectacle of nature.

Last stage, almost a tradition, the finish at two thousand meters in Breuil-Cervinia. Starting from Valtournenche, 119.5 kilometers to overturn the rankings. Last year, Spanish climber Pablo Torres (Team UAE Emirates) won the stage, who had already distinguished himself at Giro Next Gen (second in the general classification). A month later, he would win two stages at Tour de l'Avenir, finishing just 12 seconds behind British winner Joseph Blackmore (Israel Premier Tech). Torres, 3'55" behind in the general classification, attempted an epic ride on the Colle delle Finestre, attacking 12 km from the conclusion.

"On our roads, the best young talents undergo their true sporting maturity test," says Moret. Meanwhile, Valle d'Aosta celebrates its 61st edition. "The longevity of this event, the most enduring in the non-professional international cycling panorama, testifies to the love, passion, and resilience that connects Valle d'Aosta and its organizers to the sporting cycling world and its champions. A manifestation that perpetuates itself thanks to the support of the Valle d'Aosta regional administration, Valdostan and Piedmontese municipalities, French communities of Haute Savoie and Savoy, the Swiss Valais canton, and sponsors who reward our efforts to contribute to such a wonderful event."

Each team will start with five riders for a total of 140 participants. Here are the 24 admitted teams by type.
Professional: VF Group Bardiani CSF Faizan'è.

Continental: Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team, Arkea-B&B Hotels Continentale, AVC Aix Provence Dole, Bahrain Victorious Development Team, Biesse Carrera Premac, Bourg en Bresse Ain Cyclisme, Development Team Picnic PostNL, EF Education Aevolo, General Store Essegibi F.lli Curia, Hagens Berman Jayco, Israel Premier Tech Academy, Lidl Trek Future Racing, Lotto Development Team, MBH Bank Ballan CSB, Metec Solarwatt p/b Mantel, Petrolike, Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe Rookies, Soudal Quick Step Devo Team, Team Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna, UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z, Wanty Nippo ReUz, XDS Astana Development Team.

Club: A.R. Monex Pro Cycling Team, Caja Rural Alea, Ciclistica Rostese, Union Cycliste Monaco.

THE STAGES

Wednesday, July 16, 1st stage: Aosta - Aosta
Thursday, July 17, 2nd stage: mountain time trial Passy (France) - Plaine Joux (France)
Friday, July 18, 3rd stage: Pré Saint Didier - Colle del Gran San Bernardo (Switzerland)
Saturday, July 19, 4th stage: Saint Pierre - Valsavarenche (Pont location)
Sunday, July 20, 5th stage: Valtournenche - Breuil Cervinia