Luperini returns to GP Costa Etrusca

The 11th edition of the GP Costa Etrusca marks the start of women's UCI racing Europe's sunnier climes. The two days of racing that make up the Italian event will be separate races, but a team classification will be calculated based on the best five riders from each squad in the two events. The best team will be awarded the 4th Memorial Tiziano Saba.

The first event in the GP Costa Etrusca will be a challenging 112 kilometre test from Riparbella to Motescudaio in the province of Pisa. From the start in Riparbella, the riders will have to face their first challenge just ten kilometres into the race, the climb to Castellina. The course then turns a circuit up the Guardistallo, which the riders will crest twice, and finally, the climb to Montescudaio which will sort out who has the best early season form.

On the following day, the women will face a shorter, 102 kilometre course, but one that is equally challenging. The first climb, the 375 meter ascent of the Castellina Marittima comes midway through the race, but the real kicker is the six kilometre finishing climb that will carry the racers from Pomaia up the opposite side of the Castellina Marittima.

Last year's winner, Fabiana Luperini will line up again for the 11th edition, this time with the Menikini-Gysko team. She'll be joined by fellow Italians Sigrid Corneo, Silvia Valsecchi, Carmela Massaro, Australians Oliva Gollan and Rochelle Gilmore, Elodie Touffet (Fra), Eneritz Iturriaga (Spa), Karin Aune (Swe), and Miho Oki (Jpn).

Teams for 11th GP Costa Etrusca: Czech National Team, Team Flexpoint, Vlaanderen-Caprisonne-T Interim, Lotto-Belisol, Fenixs-HPB, SC Michela Fanini, Team Saccarelli, Safi-Pasta Zara, AS Team FRW, Raleigh Lifeforce Creation HB Pro, Team Specialized, Menikini Gysko, Global Racing, Sistem Data, Mista It GS Lupi, Bilga, Equipe Neurenberger, Top Girls Fassa Bortolo, Chirio Forno d'Asolo, Team AA-Drink, Cina.