Giro to feature Galibier

The hors-category climb, which rises 2,642 metres, provided a famous moment in the 1998 Tour de France when an attack by Marco Pantani effectively sealed overall victory.

There is even a plaque four kilometres from the summit of the mountain - which divides the French departments of Savoy from the Hautes-Alpes - to recognise the point at which the late Italian began his attack.

Stage 15 of the Giro on Sunday May 19 will begin in Cesana Torinese and take the riders towards Susa where the Colle del Moncenisio climb will begin. They will then head downhill towards the Val D’Arc.

At Saint Michel de Maurienne the race will climb the Col du Télégraphe then, at Valloire, the final 18km will climb towards the summit of the Galibier where the stage will end.

It will be the first time that a race finishes at the top of the mighty mountain.