Which really is just part of the story. Actually, the first uphills – albeit false flat – of the last climb begin with 45 kilometres remaining, while the worst torture is saved for last. The final 5 kilometres of the Lago Serrù climb go up at 9.2%. That number would be even higher without the last 100 metres. This section rises at 3.7% – a perfect place for a sprint of worn out climbers.
So the Giro continues on a rather more demanding note in stage 13. Before the Lago Serrù climb the route tackles the Colle del Lys (14.9 kilometres at 6.4%) and (Pian del Lupo (9.4 kilometres at 8.7%).
Last year’s first high altitude finish happened on Mount Etna. Simon Yates laid down a first marker and put 26 seconds into his rivals to take the maglia rosa, which he wore for thirteen days. In fact, the Mont Etna stage turned out to be an Mitchelton-Scott eruption with Chaves and Yates finishing first and second.
Given the GC, a clash of big names is more than likely. Landa, López, Yates – they are all approximately 4 minutes down on Roglic. Probably, the duo-attack by Landa and López on the Pinerolo stage will have set the tone of what to expect in the coming days.
Favourites 13th stage 2019 Giro d’Italia
*** Miguel Ángel López, Simon Yates
** Vincenzo Nibali, Mikel Landa
* Rafal Majka, Primoz Roglic, Richard Carapaz
Check out the route of stage 13.
Related articles Riders - Giro 2019 Withdrawals - Giro 2019 Favourites - Giro 2019 More articles Tour de France 2022: Yellow jersey Van Aert powers to glory
Giro Donne 2022: Balsamo wins in Reggio Emilia, Van Vleuten still leader
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 4: Dunkirk - Calais
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 5: Roubaix à La Grande Boucle
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 6: Binche - Longwy
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 6: Lumpy race for attackers
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 7: Tomblaine - Planche des Belles Filles
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 7: Attackers or GC clash?
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 8: Dole - Lausanne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 8: Finale for puncheurs
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 9: Aigle - Châtel
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 9: Attackers in the Alps
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 10: Morzine - Megève
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 10: Breakaway day
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 11: Albertville - Col du Granon
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 11: GC clash at the Granon
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 12: Attackers in Alpe d'Huez
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 13: Bourg d'Oisans - Saint-Étienne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 13: Hilly specialists with fast legs
Giro Donne 2022: The Route
Cycling Calendar 2022
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso