The GP Industria & Artigianato is a classic 196.5 km Tuscan one-day race starting and finishing in Larciano, featuring a hilly profile that whittles down the bunch before a flat run-in to the line. The terrain rewards riders who combine climbing punch with the ability to stay fast over a flat finish — a pure sprinter's day it is not, but neither does it demand a pure climber. The 1.Pro classification attracts a field of ambitious professionals targeting a prestigious late-season result.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Romain Grégoire sits at the top of this preview on the strength of his win in stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse and a cluster of top-10 finishes on comparable hilly profiles — the most convincing recent record in this field. His hills ability is among the very highest in the startlist, and Groupama-FDJ will have David Gaudu in support to control the race. There is no obvious weakness for this course and he is the rider all rivals must beat.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
Romain Grégoire arrives as the clear favourite, combining a win in stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse with three further top-10s in similar-profile races recently — the best overall record in this field on comparable terrain. His hills ability ranks among the very best in the startlist, and Groupama-FDJ's support gives him a tactical edge on this Larciano circuit.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jan Christen brings a win in stage 5 of the Tour de Pologne and multiple top-3 finishes on similar terrain, making him the most credible threat to Grégoire. Christian Scaroni has been relentlessly consistent — three podiums in similar races — and XDS Astana's experience in Italian racing adds a tactical dimension to his bid. Either man is fully capable of winning.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Christian Scaroni has been the most consistently active climber-puncher in this field lately, posting three top-3s and five top-5s in similar races without a win — form that reads as dangerously close to a breakthrough. His hills profile is among the strongest in the startlist and XDS Astana will likely use Diego Ulissi's experience to set him up perfectly.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Jan Christen is the most dangerous challenger: a win in stage 5 of the Tour de Pologne plus two top-3 finishes in similar-profile races over the past 90 days show he is in superb form on exactly this kind of terrain. His hills ability matches Grégoire's at the very top of the field, and his calendar entry for Il Lombardia confirms UAE Emirates has him peaking for this late-season stretch.
★★
Dark Horses
Neilson Powless won stage 3 of the Tour of Austria on a comparable profile and is peaking toward the Worlds, while Alex Baudin's win in stage 1 of the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes on a similar course marks him as a breakaway threat with finishing punch. Marc Hirschi rounds out this tier as a consistent performer who has repeatedly featured near the top in hilly punch-finish races without quite winning in this period.
EF - EasyPost
EF - EasyPost
Alex Baudin claimed victory in stage 1 of the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes on a comparable course and backed it with a further top-5 in similar terrain, making him a genuine dark horse despite his Rare rarity rating. His hills ability is competitive within the field and EF - EasyPost can provide collective support alongside Powless.
Tudor Pro Cycling
Tudor Pro Cycling
Marc Hirschi has logged a top-3 and three top-10s on similar profiles recently across a high volume of starts, showing consistent punch without yet converting to a win in this period. His hills and sprint combination suits a punchy flat finish after a hilly route, and Tudor Pro Cycling will be strongly motivated on Italian soil alongside Michael Storer.
EF - EasyPost
EF - EasyPost
Neilson Powless won stage 3 of the Tour of Austria recently on a similar profile and has demonstrated that he can convert on hilly punch-finish days. His hills ability is solid and his subsequent World Championships road race target suggests he is building toward peak form right now.
★
Ones to Watch
Igor Arrieta gives UAE Emirates additional firepower and has posted two top-3s on similar terrain recently. David Gaudu's elite hills ability keeps him relevant as a potential Groupama-FDJ co-leader. Diego Ulissi brings Tuscan racing intelligence and a quiet stream of top-10 form, while Lenny Martinez offers the highest climbing ceiling in the field and the backing of Bahrain Victorious — any of these four could trouble the podium on the right day.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
David Gaudu is one of the highest-rated hills riders in the entire startlist and gives Groupama-FDJ a strong co-leader option, even if his recent similar-profile results have been quieter. His presence doubles the team's threat and his ability to hurt rivals on climbs before the flat finish is genuine.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Diego Ulissi's local knowledge of Tuscan racing and three top-10s in similar-profile events recently make him a wily outsider who cannot be dismissed despite his age. His hills and climbing profile remain competitive, and he typically excels when races are tactical and decided late.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Igor Arrieta has been active on hilly terrain with two top-3 finishes in similar races recently, offering UAE Emirates a second card to play behind Christen. His hills ability is respectable and he showed well in the Basque country earlier this season.
Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious
Lenny Martinez carries the highest climbing stat in the entire field and two top-10s in similar races over the past 90 days, and Bahrain Victorious will be eager to use that to animate the race. He is still building toward his ceiling but a hilly circuit finishing in Larciano is precisely his terrain.
Verdict
Romain Grégoire is the standout favourite, with recent form on similar terrain that surpasses every other starter, but Jan Christen and Christian Scaroni have the results and the ability to deny him on race day.