Fränk Schleck and Stefano Garzelli will be the main contenders of the UCI ranked 1.1 Cat. GP Nobili Rubinetterie, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 23, in and around Arona, Italy. The Luxembourger, who won Amstel Gold Race as well as the Tour de France stage to Alpe d'Huez this year, will find the hilly parcours on the shores of Lago Maggiore suited to his capabilities, with Garzelli also looking for a victory on home turf. Last year's winner, Lampre's Damiano Cunego, will not attend the race, as his team is not participating.
The peloton will include 176 riders of 22 teams: Liquigas, CSC, Ceramica Panaria, Naturino Sapore di Mare, Team LPR, Miche, Selle Italia Serramenti Diquigiovanni, Acqua&Sapone, Androni Giocattoli, Tenax Salmilano, Barloworld, Elk Haus, OTC Doors, Ceramica Flaminia, Universal Caffe', Amore & Vita, Perutinina, Team Endeka, Sava Krany, Apo Sport Linz, Andria Mobil and Rodenka Powerbar. The circuit race will take the bunch on a 16.8 km-long loop, to be repeated 11 times for a total racing distance of 184 kilometres.
