Giro dItalia 2016 Route stage 7: Sulmona

Giro d’Italia 2016 Route stage 7: Sulmona – Foligno

Friday May 13, 2016 – At 211 kilometres, the hilly stage between Sulmona and Foligno could be for a bunch of escapees, but chances are it will be up to the fast men as the finale is flat. In 2014 it was Nacer Bouhanni powering to glory in the Umbrian arrival town.

In 2012, stage 8 left from Sulmona tot finish at Lago Lacena. After a tough closing climb Domenic0 Pozzovivo was the victor. Fat chance the pocket-climber will do it again in the 2016 stage that leaves from Sulmona as the last 40 kilometres are flat or downhill.

Yet, the riders face some climbs en route. Rocca di Corno is the highest point, peaking at 932 metres and crested after 81 kilometres in the saddle. The toughest climb however is early on when the riders climb in around 9 kilometres to Le Svolte di Popoli, a 2nd category toil that’s crested with 20 kilometres done. On rolling roads the riders head for Rocca do Corno.

After the drop the rolling roads are back again. The Valica della Somma is the next hurdle, 4th category, and after resting it’s 40 kilometres left to the finish line.

Arrival town Foligno hosted both a start and a finish in the 2014 Giro. Stage 7 turned out to be a Nacer Bouhanni party, while the next day the caravan left from Foligno for a mountain stage that was won by Diego Ulissi.

Foligno is an ancient town with a modern atmosphere. It lies as central as can be in Italy. Located at a junction of railways and roads, it was heavily bombed in World War II and most Roman traces were lost.

At the line, time bonuses at 10, 6 and 4 seconds lay waiting, while intermediate sprints come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds each.

Live race report stage 7 in the 2016 Giro d’Italia.