The American was the 2016 winner of the race, which is viewed as the only Grand Tour cycling event for women this year.

With her team-mate Anna van der Breggen, the 2015 and 2017 winner, opting not to race this year, Guarnier will head Boels-Dolmans' challenge in the Dutchwoman's absence.

Last year’s runner-up Elisa Longo Borghini will hope to be among the overall contenders for the 10 stage race in Italy.

The Italian is expected to lead the Wiggle High5 team.

Mitchelton-SCOTT’s challenge could be headed by Dutch rider Annemiek Van Vleuten, who finished third last year.

Racing will begin tomorrow with a team time trial in Verbania.

The race will continue with stages in Ovada, Corbetta and Piacenza, which are all expected to conclude with sprint finishes.

Omenga will host the first mountain stage of the race on July 10, with the first summit finish coming the following day when stage six concludes in Gerola Alto.

A 15 kilometre individual time trial will take place from Lanzada to Diga di Campo Moro on stage seven.

Breganze will host the finish the following day, with riders bracing themselves for the ascent of the fearsome Monte Zoncolan climb on stage nine.

The penultimate stage of the race looks likely to prove significant in deciding the overall outcome, just as Monte Zoncolan did in the men's Giro D'Italia race when Britain’s Chris Froome triumphed en-route to the title earlier this year.

The 10 stage race will conclude on July 15 with a 120 kilometre course in Cividale del Friuli.