Giro 2018 Favourites stage 6: Mount Etna for first GC clash

Chances are the GC-guys will go head-to-head on Mount Etna. Following a hilly race the iconic volcano should be the tonic to ignite the fireworks. Summit finish after a 15 kilometres climb at 6.5%. Who are favourite to turn out on top? (Slideshow route/profile)

Basically, the stage to Mount Etna is a two-sided affair. The first half is a hilly race before the second half is a descent leading to a rolling run-in to the grande finale on Etna’s slopes. The final climb totals 15 kilometres at 6.5%, while the steepest sections of 14% and 15% appear approximately 5 and 10 kilometres before the finish.

Mount Etna was included in last year’s Giro d’Italia too, although the arrival was not on the same spot. A strong headwind made it hard to jump clear on the final climb, resulting in a relatively uneventful climb. Attacker Jan Polanc brought the early break home, while a GC clash never really happened. Let’s hope for a different scenario on this year’s Etna-ascent.

Today’s stage winner must be a Hors Catégorie climber who’ll possibly receives a bonus in the shape of a pink shirt. Dumoulin? Yates? Froome? Pinot? López is the only GC rider who has no choice but to attack as he is almost 2 minutes down on GC, while both Aru and Froome are almost 1 minute in arrears.

Favourites 6th stage 2018 Giro d’Italia

*** Fabio Aru, Thibaut Pinot, Simon Yates, Miguel Ángel López, George Bennett
** Tom Dumoulin, Chris Froome, Louis Meintjes, Ben O’Connor, Esteban Chaves
* Robert Gesink, Matej Mohoric, David de la Cruz, Giulio Ciccone