The Spin: Giro Stage 6

Yesterday’s tiny climb near the finish was enough to eject several sprinters. Today’s stage seems relentless up and down roads all day long meaning there’s a good chance the first breakaway of the race will succeed. If no move stays away then it’s likely those contesting the finish are in a select group because the final hour includes some steep climbs and a gravel section too.

As well as the four recognised climbs note the profile looks like the blade of an old saw, constantly up and down. The climbs can be steep – like Montelupone – and the descents are also tricky with many sharp corners and changing road surfaces.

Here are the last 40km, note the Passo della Cappella and its 9% gravel roads with sections at 15%. At 33km from the finish line this should provoke a selection but it’s unlikely a rider stays away solo but any group starting the climb should be thinned out by the top. If you want some images of this climb, see the Salite delle Marche blog.

Note the smaller ramps on the way to the finish. It’s hard to pick a winner but think of riders like Pippo Pozzatto, Enrico Gasparotto, Fabio Felline, Giovanni Visconti, Diego Ulissi or maybe a long range bid from Pavel Brutt… or a short sprint by Fran Ventoso. One thing that looks more certain is that the overall lead will change but Navardauskas is a tough rider who could hang on although he might find team mate Ryder Hesjedal is waiting to collect the pink jersey.

The stage finish is expected between 4.55-5.30pm.

16 thoughts on “The Spin: Giro Stage 6”

  3. Sometimes when you see these narrow idyllic country climbs without asphalt it’s very difficult to imagine the peloton tearing through with all its accoutrements and entourage. Seems almost a shame that the whole carnival must be inflicted on the area given how beautiful it is! The photography from the blog link you posted highlights what should make for excellent viewing this afternoon, especially after yesterdays ruler marked pencil line across the flattest part of Italy!

    Navardauskas has mentioned he feels quite comfortable climbing so should be a good test. I’ve been to the region and town he grew up in several times and am yet to see a hill or even a mound so his climbing abilities must have been honed at a later date.. With a such a small population I would wager he’s getting a lot of attention back home albeit that cycling is probably the 10th favourite sport with basketball being the first 9.

    I’m pretty new to your blog, since I’ve started reading I have found it to be a fascinating source of information and detail to accompany and enhance the pro-cycling season. Long may it continue!

  4. FINALLY the road starts going up! I’d place a small bet on Thomas De Gendt, were I a gambling person. He’s getting married this summer and will want to bring a bauble, a trophy or a climber’s jersey to his wedding. I’d love to see Mickael Delage try a long distance raid, futile and beautiful. I’m getting hoarse cheering my French riders on, or was it urging them on?.. To Mr. LarryT, on stage 5, the last bump and the sinuous descent down to the sea were absolutely gorgeous, and well photographed by the helicopter. I can see how one could get passionate about this country.
    Thanks again to our host, Mr. Inner Ring for all the hard work he puts into his reports. If our enjoyment were coin in this realm, you, sir, would be wealthy indeed.

    • Passionate would put it mildly….great cycling roads are all over this country. We’ll be on some of them tomorrow on our way into Chianti country. Our little group seems VERY excited to change our plans for the end of our Tuscany tour and head over to ride a bit of the course and see the finish at Montecatini….so we’re working on a game-plan on how best to do just that! Don’t get as much time to check out Inner Ring as I’d like these days but am happy he’s still cranking out the best cycling blog out there for us all!

  5. I can forget to brush or bathe but not miss reading The Spin. It was delightful to see Cav win yesterday but now the real Giro starts. GC teams will like to keep their leaders safe so I’ll go for a left field victory today. De Gendt surely looks value or may be someone from NetApp like Barta? Any idea how our man Clercq is feeling?

  7. This stage looks like one to tune in to as early as possible, yesterdays looked to be a major snooze-fest but turned out to be pretty dramatic in the final ~30km. This giro is building up pretty well and it was nice to see cav win in front of Peta and his daughter.

  8. A stage worth watching from 100k out, which brings me to a nitpick:
    There’s two uphill gravel sections on this stage. The first @~90 to go is the pass you mention and the second is the Montegranaro @~33 to go.

    And once again thanks for a great blog.

  10. Can anyone inform us of the weather forecast? These gravel roads can be even more treacherous in the wet, however it appears so far to be tending towards dry (and therefore dusty). Shame, 2010 strade biachi (stage 10 I think) was an absolute cracker in the wet. In any case, I’m really looking forward to it.

  13. Great stage to watch. Colombians can time trial too it seems.
    I was obviously wrong about the road surface on Montegranaro.

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