Rome is reviving a 180-km cycle race through the city and surrounding area after five years.

Scheduled for Sunday 3 March and titled “Rome Maxima”, the professional cycling event replaces the former Giro del Lazio race, which last which took place in 2008.

Beginning at the Roman Forum, the route incorporates Via Appia Antica, Castelli Romani, Rocca Massima, Rocca Priora, Campi di Annibale and Albano Laziale before finishing near the Colosseum.

Behind the initiative is RCS Sport, owner of the Giro d’Italia, Strade Bianche, and Tirreno-Adriatico bicycle races.

There are 16 teams participating and, in addition to Italy, there will be teams from France, Colombia, Kazakhstan, US, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Russia and Holland.