It seems obvious that fast finishers will be in charge at the end of stage 17. The first 100 kilometres feature three ascents, all with average gradients of approximately 5%. So these are certainly not the hardest climbs in the world. Moreover, it pays to dig deep as the route is as good as flat after the last descent when it’s still 55 kilometres to the line. Which should be enough to reel in the breakaway.
Yet, we are in the last week of an energy sapping Giro d’Italia. So possibly it will be up to the attackers. The start with a 10 kilometres climb is perfect for a breakaway to open up a proper gap. Usual suspects for the break are Denz, LL Sánchez, Mohoric, Bouwman, De Marchi…
If it boils down to a bunch sprint Elia Viviani is the man to watch. He already won five stages ahead of the Giro only to continue his winning streak when the first opportunities arose in the Corsa Rosa. He outgunned all competition in the 2nd stage and the 3rd stage. The Italian’s flawless Giro-campaign was interrupted by Sam Bennett though, when the Irishman outgunned Viviani on stage 7 to claim his first ever Grand Tour victory. Yet, there was more to come. Bennett went on to win the 12th stage on Imola racing circuit with an impressive long-range sprint, while Viviani was nowhere to be seen as he was dropped earlier in the trying and rain-soaked finale.
Yet, the Italian bounced back in the 13th stage, winning the sprint a bike length ahead of Bennett and Van Poppel.
Favourites 17th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia
*** Elia Viviani, Matej Mohoric, Nico Denz, Luis Léon Sánchez
** Sacha Modolo, Danny van Poppel, Koen Bouwman, Diego Ulissi, Sam Bennett
* Jens Debusschere, Niccolo Bonifazio, Krists Neilands, Alessandro De Marchi
Read also: route 17th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia.
Giro d’Italia 2018 stage 17: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 1: TTT with red lining
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Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 2: Versatile ride to Calpe
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Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 5: Mountain goat on steep last climb
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 6: Mora de Rubielos - Ares del Maestrat
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 6: Breakaway Day
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 7: Onda – Mas de la Costa
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 7: GC battle on finishing Wall
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 8: Valls – Igualada
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 8: Sprinters or (late) attackers
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 9: Andorra la Vella – Cortals d’Encamp
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 9: Short thriller in the Pyrenees
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 10: Jurançon - Pau (ITT)
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Vuelta 2019 Route stage 13: Bilbao - Los Machucos
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 13: Monster race with brutal finale
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 14: San Vicente de la Barquera - Oviedo
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 14: Back to the fast men
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 15: Tineo - Santuario del Acebo
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 15: Steep and irregular ascents
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 16: Pravia - Alto de la Cubilla
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 16: Finish for diesel-powered climbers
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 17: Aranda de Duero - Guadalajara
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 17: Fast men in longest race
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 18: Colmenar Viejo – Becerril de la Sierra
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 18: Attackers in the middle mountains
Vuelta 2019 Route stage 19: Ávila - Toledo
Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 19: Cunning sprinter in technical finale
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Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 20: Attacks on all fronts
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Tour of Britain 2019 Route stage 3: Berwick-upon-Tweed - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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