Giro 2017 Favourites stage 4: Climb to pink

After three mostly flat stages on Sardinia, the 4th stage in the Giro d'Italia is tough task in the mountains. Solid climb in the first half of the race and a beast of a closing climb on Mount Etna. The victor is sure to grab the maglia rosa. (Slideshow route/profile)

In the first half of the race the riders tackle a 31 kilometres climb that is averaging 5%, while the steepest sectors are 13%. Following a rolling intermezzo the closing climb on the flanks of Mount Etna is an 18 kilometres toil at 7.2%. Today’s stage winner must be a Hors Catégorie climber who’ll receive a huge bonus in the shape of the maglia rosa.

It will be interesting to watch the GC guys. The course is perfect for an iconic clash, yet the Giro d’Italia is only in its fourth day, so chances are they will want to keep their powder dry. It may be too early to reach for pink and defend it for almost three weeks.

On the other hand, Vincenzo Nibali won the 2014 Tour de France after soloing to yellow as early as the second stage…

Favourites 4th stage Giro d’Italia 2017

*** Vincenzo Nibali, Thibaut Pinot, Nairo Quintana, Esteban Chaves, Steven Kruijswijk
** Tom Dumoulin, Ilnur Zakarin, Geraint Thomas, Rui Costa, Bauke Mollema
* Domenico Pozzovivo, Mikel Landa, Andrey Amador, Diego Rosa, Adam Yates, Aleksandr Foliforov