The Velocio Utility Bib Short ($300) uses the brand’s signature chamois for all-day comfort and has all the features of a traditional bib short; it’s stretchy and lightweight while still fitting well. 

There are two main pocket designs for cargo bibs. The most common is a pocket added to the thigh panel (somewhere above the leg gripper). Some bibs also put pockets on the lower back area, placing the bib pockets essentially in the same spot as a jersey. 

Don’t expect this to be a low budget trip, but relish in the fact that you can get the world’s best hot dogs and can cook eggs in thermal pools.

Similar to last year's Serenissima Gravel race, I'm told the gravel is not very technical and the parcours is almost completely flat, so we can expect a big bunch for most of the race, with very few major obstacles other than positioning and your standard challenges of racing on gravel without a support vehicle. 

Protect Your Brain

• £80 as tested
• Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL – regular and short lengths
• Colors: ‘Berry’, black, ‘cayenne’, ‘harvest’, ‘kingfisher’, ‘saffron’

The Lite version of the popular SingleTrack II shorts features a familiar tailored fit and length with a ‘barely there’ feel, being lightweight and breathable without compromising durability. A zippered fly with a popper closure gives the shorts a clean look and elasticated Velcro adjuster tabs enable you to fine-tune the fit around the waist.

There are three well-sized zippered pockets – two on the front and one on the rear. The high elastane content ensures stretch in all directions for an excellent fit, which can be altered via the adjuster tabs on the waistband.

Clip In For Gravel

What’s cool is that riders won’t know the progress of their competitors, nor if they’re winning, or even hours behind. It’s got elements of a randomness, but without looking at a compass. 

That number comprises the 15 Women’s WorldTour teams and seven invited teams from the second tier of women’s pro racing. The penultimate stage finishes atop the Col du Tourmalet. All eyes will be on Annemiek van Vleuten of Movistar to see if she can achieve her aim of completing the Vuelta-Giro-Tour treble in 2023, prior to her retirement later this year.