Stars head to post-Giro criterium

Giro d'Italia stars such as Danilo Di Luca, Ivan Basso, Franco Pellizotti, Alessandro Petacchi and Gilberto Simoni will be the highlight for fans at the Guffanti Formaggi GP - Coppa Fontaneto Ravioli, to be held in the city of Arona on Wednesday.

Some say that post-Grand Tour criteriums are a little cheesy, given that the result is often decided before the race - the Guffanti Formaggi GP takes this a little further however, as Guffanti is a prominent brand of cheese, throwing its support behind the race that's anticipated to attract a sizeable crowd.

The big names may have to work for their win though, with the likes of Robert Hunter, Dario Cataldo, Charlie Wegelius, Michael Albasini and Yaroslav Popovych in attendance, plus a host of local riders who ply their trade in the ProTour making an appearance for the local fans.

The event also serves as a litmus test of the viability for a possible 'three days of professional cycling' to be held in the city. "The request has already been submitted to the technical committee of the Italian Cycling Federation and is for the weekend preceding the Tricolore Week 2010, then June 19 and 20," said head of the AC Arona organisation, Antonio Bertinotti.