Full route of 2016 Giro d'Italia officially unveiled in Milan

The full route for the 99th edition of the Giro d'Italia was revealed in Milan ©Giro d'Italia

The full route for the 2016 Giro d'Italia has been unveiled at the Milan EXPO with the 99th edition of the three week stage race set to feature three time trials and seven mountain stages with summit finishes.

Two-time champion Alberto Contador of Spain, the 2015 winner, was among several cyclists to attend the official presentation of the race route for the first Grand Tour of the 2016 season, while International Cycling Union (UCI) President Brian Cookson was also in attendance.

The Netherlands is set to host its third Grande Partenza with the city of Apeldoorn putting on the opening stage of the race on May 6 where the cyclists will take part in a very short 9.8 kilometre individual time trial.

In comparison to recent editions of the race which have offered the sprinters relatively few chances to win stages, the 2016 Giro route presents them with seven possibilities.

The final two days in The Netherlands will be among their best opportunities due to the flat 190km routes to the cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen.

Following the first rest day of the race on May 9 racing will recommence in Italy with a mix of medium mountain and sprint stages, before stage nine sees the second individual time trial take place on May 15.

The 40km route through the Chianti vineyards is set to offer one of the most spectacular landscapes of the race but is also expected to be one of the key stages as due to several climbs and descents it is likely that one of the main contenders for the overall victory will assume the race leader’s pink jersey at its conclusion.

UCI President Brian Cookson and reigning champion Alberto Contador were among those who attended the official presentation ©Getty Images

Favourites for the general classification will be expected to be at the head of the race after the penultimate rest day on May 16 as the second full week includes three medium mountain stages prior to a key 210km high mountain stage on May 21 and the final individual time trial the following day.

The final week of racing will see the peloton tackle a sprint stage and four further mountain stages, with the winner set to be decided on the penultimate day after the 134km high mountain route from Guillestre to Sant'Anna di Vinadio.

A 150km sprint stage from Cuneo to Turin concludes the race on May 29, when the winner will be officially crowned.

Two-time winner Ivan Basso of Italy, who received a two-year ban in 2007 after admitting to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) that he had attempted to dope, will not participate at the 2016 edition of the Giro after announcing his retirement at the presentation.

Basso was forced to withdraw from the 2015 Tour de France after being diagnosed with testicular cancer but despite receiving the all-clear following treatment he has opted not to return to racing.