The pre-Tour de France tune-up in the Alps, this year’s race has a tough course with a time trial and three summit finishes. With many riders coming down from altitude form is a mystery but we’ll learn plenty ahead of the Tour de France.
The top billing is a duel between Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel, while UAE understudy Juan Ayuso gets a chance to lead and more riders can answer questions about their form and hopes ahead of July’s rendez-vous.
With the Giro completed, a quick look at the weekly UCI rankings and the World Tour promotion and relegation race as the points for the Giro have been added.
Relegation-facing Astana and Arkéa-B&B have started scoring more but their problem is their rivals have too. And for Astana the troubles are piling.
Was there a winning moment? Often this can mean a breakthrough, a coup. Not this time. Tadej Pogačar was never in trouble even if Jhonathan Narváez and Max Schachmann got the better of him on the opening stage.
The next day to Oropa would define the three weeks. Pogačar crashed at the foot of the climb, recovered and rode past the field. Once Rafał Majka pulled over Pogačar launched and he was away. Anyone who tried to follow paid, in this case Ben O’Connor got his wings burnt while Daniel Martinez and Geraint Thomas came in second and third half a minute down.
The final stage and once the peloton has arrived by plane in the morning, there’s a quick trip to the beach followed by a criterium around Rome.
If you’ve been watching for all three weeks today’s stage has a later than usual finish at 6.45pm CEST.
The last decisive stage of the Giro d’Italia and two climbs of Monte Grappa await. Can anyone beat Pogačar?
A likely sprint stage but the last chance for the breakaway among riders who fear the Alps.
The Giro resumes… hopefully given the mix of bad weather and some beef between the riders, their union and race organisers RCS.
A welcome rest day in the Giro for many riders after the hardest stage although spending it at altitude can make it a little less restful.
