Giro dItalia 2016 Favourites stage 5: Wanted: (slightly) uphill powersprinters

Giro d’Italia 2016 Favourites stage 5: Wanted: (slightly) uphill powersprinters

In the first 190 kilometres of stage 5 the race is on rolling and uphill roads, after which the 40 kilometres are flat to downhill. That's good for the fast men, one might argue. That's right, yet the last kilometre offers a 3.4% gradient. (Slideshow route/profile)

The stage peaks at an elevation of 783 metres, reached after 36 kilometres in the saddle. Then the course rolls on before the final 40 kilometres are mostly flat. The finale is inside the town Benevento on a rather narrow and curvy route, while the last kilometre goes up at a 3.4% grade .

A few years ago one may have argued that this would be too much for Kittel, but he is so strong this Giro that he is top favourite to win the stage. That said, Arnaud Démare likes a tough sprint and Ewan and Greipel did win (slightly) uphill sprints in the past.

Favourites 5th stage Giro d’Italia 2016:

*** Arnaud Démare, André Greipel, Caleb Ewan, Marcel Kittel
** Moreno Hofland, Nikias Arndt, Elia Viviani, Giacomo Nizzolo
* Sacha Modolo, Matteo Pelucchi, Sonny Colbrelli