Giro 2017 Favourites stage 11: Chance for fast descenders

At 161 kilometres, the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia takes in four climbs. The race is set to finish at the end of a long descent, so fast descenders are favourite to win the stage. (Slideshow route/profile)

The last climb, Monte Fumaiola, is a long one – 23.2 kilometres -, but its not too steep with the exception of the last 2 kilometres before the top. As this section is averaging 8.6% it is a perfect place to attack and start the drop with the main group in arrears. Halfway the drop a small climb appears, while the ultimate 3.5 kilometres in arrival place Bagno di Romagna are a false flat.

A fast descender like Nibali is a likely candidate to go on the attack, but don’t be surprised when the main group is bunched when hitting the false flat to the line. So the race could come down to a late attack or a sprint of a select group. Another scenario is the break to stay away. Sánchez, Conti, Rolland, Costa – those are the names that spring to mind if you think of a successful break.

Favourites stage 11 Giro d’Italia 2017

*** Geraint Thomas, Vincenzo Nibali, Bob Jungels, Adam Yates, Rui Costa
** Tom Dumoulin, Luis León Sánchez, Valerio Conti, Pierre Rolland
* Matteo Montaguti, Diego Rosa, Mikel Landa, Lukas Pöstlberger