The three-day event, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow, will see the host nation attempt to make their mark with a delegation of around 60 athletes.

Among them is Paolo Cecchetto, who won the men’s H3 road race at last year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

He will be joined by the likes of Luca Mazzone and Vittorio Podesta, winners of the respective men’s H2 and H3 time trial trials at Rio 2016.

Also eyeing success in front of a home crowd will be Alessandro Zanardi, the reigning Paralympic champion in the men’s H5 time trial.

Canada will be hopeful of achieving a win in Maniago through Tristen Chernove, who took gold in the men’s C2 time trial at his maiden Paralympics in Rio.

He followed that up with two track cycling medals, comprising a silver in the C2 individual pursuit and a bronze in the C1-3 one kilometre time trial.

Following the event in Maniago, which represents the first major international competition for hand-cyclists this season, athletes will then travel to Ostende in Belgium to compete between May 18 and 21.

The third and last World Cup is due to be held in Dutch town Emmen from June 30 to July 2.

The most consistent athletes over the three legs will finish top of the overall rankings and be awarded the leader's jerseys.

Bringing a close to the campaign will be the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in South African city Pietermaritzburg from August 31 to September 3.