Mitchelton Scott arrived at the start of Gran Piemonte on Wednesday, as did climbers Lucas Hamilton and Tsgab Gurumayi, and New Zealand's Dion Smith, who finished sixth in Milan-San Remo on Saturday and ninth in Milan-Torino three days later, Options for the Italian one-day race.

The 187-km route from Santo Stefano Verbo to Barolo is very hilly (though not mountainous) and will serve as a "warm-up" event for Saturday's Il Lombardia.

Alongside Grumai, Smith, and Hamilton will be Hungary's Barnabas Peake, Australian road race champion Cameron Mayer, Callum Scottson, and veteran Michael Albasini.

"The second race of the season is something everyone looks forward to," said Albasini. 'I think everyone is excited about racing, whether it's hot, cold, or raining. We just want to race, so nobody complains."

"I missed the finish at Gran Trittico Lombardo, but I finished in Milano-Torino, and I'm hoping to be competitive in Wednesday's race.

"The Gran Piemonte course is really tough, but it's all about giving it everything," the Ethiopian climber continued. I'm ready to give it my all and I have a good team to try something. All doors are open to everyone and each climber has a chance."

"As a climber, I think it's a good race and I want to do well. I got better in Milan-Torino."

"Obviously, Piemonte is considered a preparation race for Il Lombardia, but after missing so many races, it can't be considered just a preparation race.

Gene Bates, Mitchelton-Scott's sporting director, added: "We're expecting a lot of heat this week. "With the heat expected this week and the nearly 3.000m elevation gain throughout the day, the race will be more toward the pure climbers.

"It's a course that requires good legs, so we need to be a little flexible about who we support as the race progresses. [It will be a great prelude to Saturday's Il Lombardia and is clearly a new step in the climbing direction.

The midweek Italian race will also feature Astana's Jacob Fuglsang, Alpecin Phoenix's Mathieu Van Der Pol, and UAE Team Emirates' Fabio Al.

Mitchellon Scott in the 2020 Gran Piemonte: Michael Albasini, Tsgab Gourmay, Lucas Hamilton, Cameron Meyer, Barnabas Peake, Callum Scottson, Dion Smith