The American triumphed last year at the International Cycling Union Women’s WorldTour event, finishing clear of compatriot Evelyn Stevens and Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands.

Guarnier is poised to lead the Boels Dolmans team into the race, which is the longest stage race of the Women’s WorldTour season.

She will expect to face challenges from Van der Breggen and Britain’s Lizzie Deignan throughout the event, while Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma is also tipped for success.

Niewiadoma comes into the race on a high, having won the 2017 Women's Tour earlier this month.

Racing will begin with an 11.5 kilometre individual time trial from Aquileia to Grado.

With the first race leader decided, the second stage will be a 122km test from Zoppola to Montereale Valcellina, before the peloton tackle a 100km route from San Fior to San Vendemiano.

The fourth stage will begin and end in Occhiobello.

A second individual time trial will then offer riders further opportunities to gain time against the clock.

Racing will continue with a stage in Roseto Degli Abruzzi on July 5, before event begins to head towards its conclusion with stages in Baronissi and Palinuro respectively.

The penultimate stage will see the peloton ride 122km from Palinuro to Polla on July 8, with the race concluding the following day with a 124km course in Torre Del Greco.

Sprinters could have four chances to earn a victory during the race, which features less climbs than recent editions.

It could offer Australia’s Chloe Hosking with the chance to enjoy success at this year’s race.