Only 5 kilometres from the start and the party already starts. The road rises for 50 kilometres until the top of the Passo san Pellegrino is reached, located at 1,918 metres – the highest point of today.
The ascent begins at 318 metres, so once the riders are at the top, 1,600 vertical metres have been climbed. Given the average gradient of 3%, the full climb is not too steep, but the last 18.45 kilometres before cresting are a different story with an average of 6.2%.
Passo del Redebus
Following a long descent and a few flat kilometers through the valley the riders are at the bottom of the ascent to Passo del Redebus. The climb comes in two separate sections. The first 4 kilometres go up at almost 7%, next is a plateau, and then it is climbing time again. The final stretch of 4.6 kilometres contains an average gradient of 8.7%.
Rifugio Panarotta
Upon cresting Passo del Redebus, an intermezzo of 33 kilometres (20 descending, 13 flat) gives the riders ample opportunity to eat and regroup before the closing climb begins.
In the 15.85 kilometre ascent to Rifugio Panarotta,1,260 metres are to be gained. The opening 3 kilometres are fairly straightforward, but upon leaving the village of Levico Terme the road rises abruptly. The rest of the climb has an average gradient of 8.4%, with two stretches kicking up to a nasty 12 %.
Contrary to the two prior climbs this ascent is rather regular and consequently somewhat easier.
Giro 2014 stage 18: Images and more
Click on the images to zoom
Scheduled times
How stage 18 was won in 2014
Passo del Redebus cyclingthealps.com
Rifugio Panarotta atstrava.com
