As race organisers love to tell us, this is a day when the race can't be won but can certainly be lost. The first long and hotly contested climb is sure to see some of the contenders struggling to cope with the change of pace, but gaps between them should be in seconds rather than minutes based on what happened here in 2003. Gilberto Simoni blew the race apart when the gradient kicked up 7km from the finish, but the Terminillo's ramps weren't tough enough for "Gibo" to build a significant advantage.

Procycling's favourite to win:

Stefano Garzelli stuck with Simoni and eventually outsprinted him in 2003. This could be the 2000 winner's final Giro appearance. Past experience and a still impressive sprint could pay off for the 36-year-old Acqua e Sapone team leader, who showed fine form to win Tirreno-Adriatico in March.

Scarponi says: