The riders launch themselves onto the last climb. With 5 kilometres left they plummet down a steep 1.8 kilometre hill – even touching 9% in the kilometre in the middle. They hit a flat intermezzo before the 1.5 kilometre closing climb at 5.7%. The ramps are getting steeper and the last 200 metres are as precipitous as 10.5%.
The arrival is a bit similar to Hatta Dam in the Tour of Dubai, where Juan José Lobato powered to victory in 2016 and John Degenkolb took the win two years ago.
The riders will be slightly worn out when reaching the punchy finale in Peschici. The stage amounts to 189 kilometres and halfway they stumble upon the Monte Sant’Angelo – almost 10 kilometres, mostly 6.8% -, and with 46 kilometres remaining the Coppa Santa Tecla is crested after a 3.6 kilometres climb at 6%. Following the descent the route runs in almost 30 kilometres to above-mentioned finale.
The 6th stage took in a punchy arrival, too. Cannondale-Drapac was the only team showing intent on reeling them back and when they threw the towel the break of the day could stick. Hopefully GC candidates will show their teeth this time.
Favourites stage 8 Giro d’Italia 2017
*** Adam Yates, Tom Dumoulin, Dylan Teuns, Vincenzo Nibali, Michael Woods
** Wilco Kelderman, Rui Costa, Davide Formolo, Davide Vilella
* Rudy Mollard, Tom-Jelte Slagter, Enrico Battaglin, Pierre Rolland
Giro 2017 stage 8: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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