Giro dItalia 2016 Favourites stage 13: Big stage for big names

Giro d’Italia 2016 Favourites stage 13: Big stage for big names

Wanted in stage 13 in the Giro d'Italia: 'hors categorie' climber to drop down like an eagle. After a day in the high mountains the finish is in the valley. Valverde? Nibali? Or... an escapee? (Slideshow route/profile)

The descent after the last peak is 6.6 kilometres and then a flat section at 7.3 kilometres takes the contenders to the line. Obviously, chances are the descent will play a crucial role in the race results. Which is good news for strong descenders like Nibali and Valverde. That is, if GC favourites are controlling the race.

Of course different scenario’s are viable also. For instance an early break singing their song all the way to the finish line. The likes of Ryder Hesjedal, Egor Silin, Giovanni Visconti, Alessandro De Marchi, Matej Mohoric, Tim Wellens, Davide Formolo and Stefano Pirazzi will be more than willing to play their part in such a break. Ryder Hesjedal is a rider with a special talent to change plans when his GC ambitions turn sour, which is the case this Giro.

When it boils down to a sprint between the GC guys, Alejandro Valverde should be the most explosive.

Favourites 13th stage 13 Giro d’Italia 2016:

*** Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde, Steven Kruijswijk
** Ryder Hesjedal, Tim Wellens, Giovanni Visconti
* Egor Silin, Alessandro De Marchi, Matej Mohoric