FLASHPOINT

3 March | Italy | 1.Pro

Not far up the Ligurian coastline from San Remo lies Colla Micheri, a two kilometre-long climb that’s the showpiece of its own early spring Italian race: Trofeo Laigueglia, the little sibling to Milan-San Remo. Colla Micheri might not have the prestige of the Cipressa or Poggio, but peaking at 14 per cent gradient and climbed no fewer than four times during the Italian semiclassic, it has just as much impact on the race’s outcome. Snaking up through the medieval town, the climb switches left and right before straightening out at its steepest section, meaning there’s no place to hide.