MILAN (AFP) – Here are seven key stages on the 101st edition of the Giro d'Italia, which embarks from Jerusalem on May 4 and ends in Rome on May 27, 2018.

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Stage 1: Jerusalem-Jerusalem (ISR), 9.7km (individual time-trial)

The opening stage in Israel is a first and this individual time-trial will hand specialists Chris Froome and Tom Dumoulin their first chance to get the upper hand, and maybe even pull on the pink jersey. Television images will also get a treat with many landmarks along the route. The following two days are also in Israel, taking in Tel Aviv and the Red Sea.

Stage 6: Caltanissetta-Etna, 163km

After Israel, the Giro winds into Sicily for three days and takes in the slopes of the island's celebrated volcano Etna for the first of the race's eight summit finishes, with some sections of the final 15km climb at eight percent gradient.

Stage 14: San Vito al Tagliamento-Monte Zoncolan, 181km

The high mountains begin here. The recently retired former Giro champion Alberto Contador says the "Zoncolan is even harder than the l'Angliru, I have no doubt of that." This is one of world cycling's most feared ascents thanks to its 15 percent gradient over a 5km section, tough even for the very best climbers.

Stage 16: Trente-Rovereto, 34.5 km (individual time-trial)

Over a mainly flat course running through a valley, featuring a single hill about two-thirds of the way around, specialists Froome and defending champion Dumoulin will have to gamble on whether to put some time into their rivals on the flat rather than saving energy for the later mountains where this Tour is generally won.

Stage 19: Venaria Reale-Bardonecchia, 181km

Possibly the toughest stage on the race with not only four massive mountains, but also a summit which lifts the Giro to an altitude of 2,178m with oxygen rarefied and tight descending corners to negotiate. There are nine kilometers with no tarmac on the route and a finish line at Bardonecchia near the French border.

Stage 20: Suse-Cervinia, 214km

Flat for 125km before three tricky mountains to climb over the final 90km. If the Giro has not already been decided, the steep climbs on offer in this Alpine stage will hurt anyone feeling the pace and would generally be expected to shake up the top 10.

Stage 21: Rome-Rome, 118km

For the TV cameras the sumptuous Roman landmarks will be constantly on display for the ten tours of the circuit around the ancient capital with Piazza del Popolo, Circo Massimo and the Coliseum—a real postcard from Rome.