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Trofeo Laigueglia 2022 (March 2)

Time for the usual start of the Italian season with Trofeo Laigueglia. Covid helped it finally get the field it deserves again last year and fortunately, things have stayed that way.

Startlist (still including Gazprom, there has been nothing from the organisers on the matter)
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The route
As far as I can tell, nothing has changed, and if there has, it isn't anything major.
pg-9-2022.jpg


The run-in features a number of longer climbs, starting with the uncategorised ascent to Arnasco (click the link, the forum software still refuses to insert images from certain sites and it's most common with Italian sites...). This is followed by the hardest climb of the day, Cima Paravenna.
laigueglia-paravenna.gif


The next climb is Capo Mele, from the side that is descended in the final circuit (and climbed in Sanremo).
capo-mele-laigueglia.png


This is followed by the climb to Testico, the profile below minus the final 5.2k.
GinestroE.gif


They then enter the final circuit, which they do four laps of.
pg-11-2022-1.jpg


The deciding factor in the race is traditionally Colla Micheri.
colla-michieri.png


A tricky descent is is followed by Capo Mele, barely a climb from this side, but very close to the finish.
capo-mele-andora.png


The road then heads downhill into Laigueglia for a flat final kilometre.

The RAI broadcast starts at 15:00, which should be around the time they enter the circuit. No international broadcasting rights, unfortunately.
 
Not a fan of the Italian NT riding this and bringing lots of WT riders. The NT riding smaller stage races was supposed to be a chance for u23 guys to gain some experience riding against pros. It's now a bit obsolete because more and more Italian u23 teams have become CT teams, but still. An experienced guy like Oss as the road captain and young guys who aren't already pros would be fine. Instead it's 4 pros from bigger teams and 3 guys who aren't u23 riders...
 
Not a fan of the Italian NT riding this and bringing lots of WT riders. The NT riding smaller stage races was supposed to be a chance for u23 guys to gain some experience riding against pros. It's now a bit obsolete because more and more Italian u23 teams have become CT teams, but still. An experienced guy like Oss as the road captain and young guys who aren't already pros would be fine. Instead it's 4 pros from bigger teams and 3 guys who aren't u23 riders...
The problem will solve itself for this season due to the Italian Gazprom riders losing their job, in that sense it's very fortunate that the Italian NT races so much more often than other countries' equivalents as it offers a back door in an unforeseeable scenario like this.
 
they are working on a solution, trying to keep going under neutral flag
Even if the UCI allows them back as a ProTeam during the season, they still need a bike and wheel sponsor willing to work with a team funded in large part by the Russian state, keep that funding in the face of sanctions, and even then I don't think many organisers will be happy to invite them. Meanwhile the riders are not formally contracted to a UCI team now, so you'd think a few of them will be able to find a spot somewhere in the meantime.

Tldr: I don't see it happening.
 

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