The Giro di Campania opens in Caserta and rolls south for 192.7 kilometres before finishing in Naples with a flat sprint approach that rewards riders capable of surviving a hilly middle section. The 1.1 classification and the demanding Campanian terrain between the two cities should reduce the peloton significantly before the flat run-in, making this a race for punchy classics-style riders rather than pure sprinters. Teams with depth in the hills will be able to set tempo and position their best finisher for the final kilometres.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Fancellu is the standout choice based on the most important signal available: he has actually won a hilly race in this same profile type recently — stage 1 of the Giro d'Abruzzo — and has backed it up with a run of top-5 finishes that no other rider in this startlist can match. His hills profile is elite for this field and he arrives in demonstrably strong form.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu is the standout pick for this hilly finish: his win in stage 1 of the Giro d'Abruzzo and four top-5 results in similar-profile races over the last 90 days place him head and shoulders above the rest of the field in terms of recent form on comparable terrain. Among the best hills specialists in this startlist, he arrives with momentum and a proven ability to time his effort perfectly on punchy finishes.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Delettre and Vendrame form a credible pair of top contenders. Delettre's recent top-3 in a similar race and the backing of a well-organised TotalEnergies team make him the most likely challenger, while Vendrame's top-5 form and Jayco AlUla's strength in numbers make him dangerous on a finish that could reward a tactical rider with a useful kick.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Alexandre Delettre brings a top-3 and three top-5 finishes in similar-profile races recently, making him one of the more consistent performers in this field on hilly terrain. He is confirmed in the startlist and is among the strongest hills riders here, providing TotalEnergies with a genuine card to play.
Jayco AlUla
Jayco AlUla
Andrea Vendrame has a top-5 result in similar-profile racing recently and, as one of Jayco AlUla's key men for hilly one-day races, arrives well placed to challenge. He is confirmed for this event and his combination of hills ability and a useful sprint for reduced-group finishes makes him dangerous on a flat finish that follows a hilly parcours.
★★
Dark Horses
Burgaudeau, Lonardi and Crescioli are the three riders with the best combination of hills suitability and recent form just below the top tier. Lonardi's win in Istanbul adds a wildcard dimension if the finale is fast, Burgaudeau is consistent without yet converting, and Crescioli's remarkable top-10 volume in similar races makes him impossible to overlook.
Polti
Polti
Giovanni Lonardi is a curious but credible pick: his win in stage 2 of the Tour of Istanbul in similar conditions demonstrates he can punch over lumpy terrain and still deliver in a sprint, tallying three top-5s in comparable races. The flat finish to Naples plays into his hands if the race comes back together after the hills.
Polti
Polti
Ludovico Crescioli has been quietly impressive in similar races lately, collecting two top-3s and eight top-10s, making him arguably one of the most consistent performers in this field over the past months. His activity level gives him solid race sharpness heading into this 1.1.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Mathieu Burgaudeau has four top-10 results and a top-5 in similar-profile races recently and is one of TotalEnergies' confirmed starters, giving them strength in numbers alongside Delettre. His hills profile is among the strongest in the peloton and he has shown consistency without yet converting it into a podium.
★
Ones to Watch
Oldani, Plapp, Covi and Delbove round out the top 10 as riders with credible profiles but less compelling recent evidence. Plapp's versatility and Jayco's depth, Oldani and Delbove's recent top-10 form, and Covi's confirmed participation all earn them a place among the ones to watch on a day where race dynamics could throw up a surprise.
Jayco AlUla
Jayco AlUla
Alessandro Covi is confirmed for this race and brings a top-10 in similar-profile racing, contributing to Jayco AlUla's formidable squad. He is a capable hills rider who could thrive if the race is fractured by the terrain ahead of the Naples finish.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Joris Delbove has collected three top-10 finishes in similar-profile races recently and provides TotalEnergies with additional firepower, giving the team one of the largest clusters of realistic contenders in this race. He is a credible outside bet on a day that suits puncheurs and attritional racing.
Jayco AlUla
Jayco AlUla
Luke Plapp is one of the more versatile and highly rated riders in this field, with strong hills and time trial credentials and a top-10 in a similar-profile race recently. As a confirmed starter through Jayco AlUla, he adds depth to their already potent lineup.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural
Stefano Oldani has a couple of top-10 finishes in similar-profile races recently and is confirmed for this race alongside a strong Caja Rural team presence. He lacks a breakthrough result in recent weeks but his hills ability keeps him relevant on a course like this.
Verdict
Alessandro Fancellu heads into this race as the clear favourite on the back of a recent stage win at the Giro d'Abruzzo and a series of top-5 results in comparable races, while Alexandre Delettre and Andrea Vendrame represent the most dangerous of a strong group of challengers that includes the hard-to-dismiss Giovanni Lonardi if the race comes back together on the flat finish.