Giro 2015: Stage 7 Favourites - Escapees and/or puncheurs

A long and gruelling stage, that’s stage 7 in the Giro d’Italia for you. Shall the early break succeed in bringing the flowers home? Or will it be up to the puncheurs in the punchy finale? (Slideshow route/profile)

In 263 kilometres this is the longest stage. If the pack is not alert a likely scenario is the break to be sailing of to a huge advantage. It all depends on the team of the man in pink. Are they willing to control the race. The sprinter’s team probably have nothing to gain since the finale offers more climbs than the race itself.

Likely to be in the break are adventurous minds like Stefan Küng, Adam Hansen, Przemyslaw Niemiec and Maciej Paterski, without a doubt accompanied by Italians like Stefano Pirazzi.

If BMC takes control to offer Philippe Gilbert a chance to stand out in the punchy finale, then stage 7 could very well turn out to be a Wallonian party. But if so, Gilbert has to get to rid of Simon Gerrans and Michael Matthews as both Australians will be eyeing up stage 7 also. Tom-Jelte Slagter is another likely contender

*** Philippe Gilbert, Simon Gerrans
** Michael Matthews, Przemyslaw Niemiec, Tom-Jelte Slagter
* Maciej Paterski, Stefan Küng, Adam Hansen

In underneath slideshow you’ll find all maps concerning stage 7.