At 149km Stage 15 was always going to be a short stage. Now it will try to climb the Galibier but will stop short of the top of the pass because of the bad weather. Instead the finish will be near the Granges du Galibier, a collection of a couple of rough looking barns and also home to a small tribute to the late Marco Pantani.

Tectonic forces have combined with rain, snow and ice to make the Alps what they are today. These forces continue to sculpt the landscape. It’s what makes racing or riding in the Alps so attractive. Only nature is always bigger than a race, even the Giro. If snow and ice block the road, so be it. We can’t have these mountains without the forces of nature. Perhaps opting for the Galibier in mid-May was a gamble but it’s worth a try.

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The Giro heads into the Alps and crosses the threshold of 2,000 metres above sea level for the first time. Round numbers aside, it means the race is heading to high altitude which brings new challenges as well as the potential for bad weather as snow is forecast.

A finish on steep slopes offers another mountain showdown as part of the weekend’s festival of climbing.

Update: snow and bad weather means the climb to Sestriere is off the route. Instead the race will be diverted north via the Val di Susa, a long valley road that drags up to Oulx where the race will rejoin the planned route. If the climb to Sestriere was fast, this route is faster with no major climb before the final ascension of the Jafferau.

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The longest stage of the Giro, today has a few hills and steep, twisting descents packed into the end to disrupt the sprinters and make the TV more lively.

Despite the flat profile, today’s stage is a historical, gastronomical and cultural route where Coppi and Bartali, truffles and Nutella, Verdi and Conte can be found.

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Three sharp climbs are like hurdles on an athletics track, they shouldn’t stop the sprinters but somebody could still trip up along the way.

But the real obstacles lie closer to the finish, including a narrow bridge in the final kilometre.

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An uphill finish but one that avoids many of the tough climbs in the region. Today’s stage will almost feel flat after yesterday, at least there are two regular climbs to roll up rather than winch up.

With the climbers having their chance yesterday and tomorrow looking like a sprint finish, here’s a chance for the breakaway raiders to win.

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The first summit finish of the race. It’s not the high Alps but what this stage lacks in high altitude it makes up for in vicious vertical gain on the final climb where 20% slopes await.

Do we get a showdown amongst the GC candidates or will they sit tight? Normally a grand tour prompts conservatism but this Giro is doing the opposite and on such steep slopes it’s inevitable that the “fight for pink” sees many going into the red.

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Enjoyed the first week? Vincenzo Nibali’s had a great time but everyone else watching as well should have found this a great start to the race. Sometimes rest days are impatient moments but this time it feels like it’s worth having a break before the race starts again tomorrow with a severe summit finish.

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