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.
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