Giro 2014: Stage 5 Favourites: Climber with the fastest uphill sprint

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 - The real climbing starts in this year's Giro with a 7 kilometre drag to the finish line. Suits the more explosive rider who can jump from a group in the last couple of kilometres. (Slideshow route/profile)

It’s a stage that will reveal which GC favourites have good climbing legs and would appear to suit Joaquim Rodriguez or maybe even Cadel Evans for the win.

Rodriguez suffered through the Ardennes this year after a fall in Amstel Gold. He arrives at the Giro with a point to prove and this is his 1st real opportunity. He also needs to take some time back on GC after a poor TTT in Belfast. Evans on the other hand is sitting pretty on GC but we’ve seen him drag race to wins on similar climbs in the past and he may have a dig today.

The climb is Ardennes style and shouldn’t have massive time gaps and it’s unlikely it would suit a long distance attack but that doesn’t mean someone like Quintana couldn’t pull off such a feat. One might question the benefit of attempting this given the more substantial climbs coming up.

It’s also possible riders like Moreno Moser or Daniel Moreno could pull off a win. Watch out for Edvald Boassen Hagen as well who might fancy a try.

Favourites
Joaquim Rodriguez
Cadel Evans

Outsiders
Nairo Quintana
Damiano Cunego
Moreno Moser
Daniel Moreno
Edvald Boassen Hagen