Philip Deignan looks finally set to make his return to racing this week at Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali (UCI 2.1) which starts on Thursday with a 96-kilometre opening stage followed by a 13-kilometre team time-trial in the afternoon.
The Irish rider broke his elbow when training in Majorca in December. He was knocked off his bike when hit by a car at a roundabout, during the final day of a Team Sky training camp on the Spanish island.
Mikel Landa will also race for the first time this season at the Italian stage race which will mark his debut in Team Sky colours. According to the team, Landa will use the four-day event to ease himself back into competition after a viral infection delayed the start to his season.
The British team have enjoyed success at the race previously with Pete Kennaugh taking the overall victory in 2014, with Ben Swift just three seconds off matching that same feat last season.
Landa and Deignan will be joined by a strong climbing contingent in Sebastian Henao, David Lopez and Xabier Zandio. Neo-pros Gianni Moscon and Alex Peters are also both in action, alongside fellow new signing Danny van Poppel.
