Giro d’Italia 2016 Favourites stage 8: Quick descenders and punchy climbers
In stage 8 all eyes are fixed on the mesmerizing finale. A partly unpaved climb at 10 kilometres, a drop, and an uphill last kilometre with a steepest grade at 11%. Nibali and Valverde, are you ready? (Slideshow route/profile)
With a finale like this chances are it will be a clash between the best descenders and the most punchy climbers in the pack. Both Nibali and Valverde are brilliant descenders, while Valverde may be the most punchy climber of the two. Yet, both riders were not their best self until now in the Giro d’Italia. Maybe in stage 8…?
Tim Wellens is a strong young Belgian, who powered to victory in the first mountain stage. He is wearing the KOM-jersey, but his goal in the Giro is to win stages. He is down in the GC so he has two options: an early attack or a late break.
Another rider who shows great form and dares to go on the attack is the man in pink. Tom Dumoulin said he is looking forward to this race, and he should. Last year he bested Chris Froome on a steep arrival in the Vuelta.
Fabian Cancellara is title holder in the Strade Bianche, a race on unpaved roads and with a similar finale to today’s.
Favourites stage 8 Giro d’Italia 2016:
*** Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde, Tim Wellens
** Fabian Cancellara, Gianluca Brambilla, Tom Dumoulin
* Diego Ulissi, Arnaud Démare, Esteban Chaves
Giro 2016 stage 8: Route maps, height profiles, etc.
Click on the images to zoom.
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Riders - Giro d'Italia 2016 Favourites and GC contenders - Giro d'Italia 2016 Favourites - Giro 2016 More articles Tour of Lombardy 2018: Thibaut Pinot wins first Monument in his career
Tour of Lombardy 2018: The Route
Tour of Lombardy: Recent winners
Giro 2019: Grande Partenza - and rumours
Giro 2019 Route stage 1: Bologna - San Luca
Giro 2019 Route stage 9: Riccione - San Marino
Tour de France 2019: Grand Départ - and rumours
Tour de France 2019 Route stage 1: Brussels - Brussels
Tour de France 2019 Route stage 2: Brussels - Brussels
World Cycling Championships 2018 Innsbruck, Austria: Valverde World Champion!
World Cycling Championships 2018 Innsbruck, Austria: Anna van der Breggen blows competition away
Tour Down Under 2019: The Route
Cycling Calendar 2018
Cycling Calendar 2019
Win a free cycling jersey of your choosing!
Quick Results Service
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!
