Giro 2014 Route stage 6: Sassano

Giro 2014 Route stage 6: Sassano – Montecassino

Thursday, May 15th – An extremely long ride awaits the riders and due to a landslide that's to be negotiated it's even 10 kilometres longer. Stage 6 is 257 kilometres long finishing with the second summit finish in as may days. The bunch touch the gorgeous Amalfi coast as they ride close to Naples. (Slideshow route/profile)

According to the organization, this is a mountain stage, but the classification is only warranted due to the venomous final climb of slightly under 9 kilometres. There are some moderate hurdles in the first part of the race, such as a false flat of 30 kilometres but that’s about it until the finale.

Montecassino

Montecassino is the name of a Benedictine Abbey situated on a rock plateau at an altitude of 500 metres. It’s seen earthquakes and numerous battles – the last being the Battle of Monte Cassino in World War II – and these destroyed the monastery several times, but it was always rebuilt to its former glory.

An 8.6 kilometre climb, who will gamble on Montecassino? Minutes won’t be up for grabs but an explosive rider like Rodríguez will eye a stage win and take some seconds.

The start of the stage is at 10:45 CET. The finish is expected around 17:15.