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.