After a grueling series of six peaks – by the way, served after a slow yet steady ascent leading from an elevation of 400 metres to over 2,200 metres in 94 kilometres – the 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia offers a mouthwatering finale.
Down in the valley after the last climb, there are 5 kilometres left to race. Things start off quite extreme with the Muro del Gatto: a 360 meter climb at 13.4% with gradients up to 19%. With 200 kilometres in the high mountains behind you that’s like running into a wall. Following a short descent, the last 3 kilometres are climbing slightly at 2 to 3%.
Probably it will be too hard an laborious to control the race to the slighest detail for the big teams. To keep the escapees within reach could be enough. So, which escapees feel challenged to go for one of the most beautiful victories in their career?
Yet, if it boils down to a clash between GC favourites Valverde should be the man in charge. A Muro in the finale and an uphill arrival – eat you heart out, Alejandro!
Favourites 14th stage Giro d’Italia 2016:
*** Ryder Hesjedal, Tim Wellens, Alejandro Valverde
** Enrico Battaglin, Giovanni Visconti, Matej Mohoric
* Carlos Betancur, Egor Silin, Alessandro De Marchi
Giro 2016 Stage 14: Route maps, height profiles, etc.
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Riders - Giro d'Italia 2016 Favourites and GC contenders - Giro d'Italia 2016 Favourites - Giro 2016 More articles Tour of Valencia 2021 Route stage 3: Torrent - Alto de la Reina
Tour of Valencia 2021: Riders
Tour of Valencia 2021 Route stage 4: Chilches - Almenara
Tour of Valencia 2021 Route stage 5: Paterna - Valencia
Amstel Gold Race 2021: The Route
Amstel Gold Race 2021: Riders
Amstel Gold Race 2021: Favourites
Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2021: The Route
Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2021: Riders
Tour of the Alps 2021: The Route
Tour of the Alps 2021: Riders
Tour of the Alps 2021 Route stage 1: Brixen – Innsbruck
Tour of the Alps 2021 Route stage 2: Innsbruck – Feichten im Kaunertal
Tour of the Alps 2021 Route stage 3: Imst – Naturns
Tour de Romandie 2021: The Route
La Flèche Wallonne 2021: The Route
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2021: The Route
Giro 2021: The Route
Giro 2021: Riders
Giro 2021: GC Favourites
Giro 2021 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 1: Ganna's dash for pink
Giro 2021 Route stage 2: Stupinigi – Novara
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 2: First fast finishers showdown
Giro 2021 Route stage 3: Biella – Canale
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 3: Strong sprinters or late attackers
Tour de France 2021: The Route
Tour de France 2021: Riders
Cycling Calendar 2021
Vuelta 2021: The Route