Big names for Brescia Tour

This year's fifth edition of the Brescia Tour will feature a strong lineup, with double Giro d'Italia champion Gilberto Simoni, race KOM winner José Rujano, Milan San Remo victor Alexander Petacchi, Italian champion Enrico Gasparotto, Davide Rebellin, Mirko Celestino, Ivan Parra, Francisco Casagrande, Giuliano Figueras and 2003 world champion Igor Astarloa amongst those taking part.

Five ProTour teams have been confirmed for the 2.1 ranked event, which runs from Friday 22nd of July until Sunday 24th. Domina Vacanze, Fassa Bortolo, Lampre - Caffita, Liquigas - Bianchi and Gerolsteiner will be joined by 8 Continental Professional squads: Colombia - Selle Italia, Team LPR, Naturino - Sapore di Mare, Acqua&Sapone - Adria Mobil, Ceramica Panaria - Navigare, Team Barloworld - Valsir, Tenax - Nobili Rubinetterie, Miche. The list is increased to seventeen with the inclusion of four Continental teams, Ceramica Flaminia, Team Androni Giocattoli - 3C Casalinghi, Amore & Vita - Beretta - Polka and Volksbank Leingruber Ideal.

The race will feature four stages. Day one sees the riders cover 170.6 kilometres from Saint Vigilio di Concesio to Toscolano Maderno. A split stage follows on Saturday 23rd, beginning with a 112.7 kilometre leg from Esine to Darfo Boario Terme. That afternoon the GC will be shaken up with a 12.8 kilometre hill time trial from Pisogne - Val Palot, averaging 9% in steepness. The race concludes the next day with a 180 km stage from Brescia to Manerbio.