Giro 2019 Favourites stage 8: For daredevil descenders

Sprinters or attackers. Dozens different scenarios make sense in the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia. Following a lumpy section the race ends with a descent to a flat run-in the line. (Slideshow route/profile)

The race starts and ends on the Adriatic coast. The first 150 kilometres are flat before entering more lumpy terrain. The hills and undulations begin with Monte della Mattera, which is a 10 kilometres climb. The rest of the route goes either up or down before a technical descent drops down to Pesaro. The last 3 kilometres follow wide roads all the way to the finish line.

Nibali is among the best descenders in the peloton. Is he going on the attack? Or does he find it pointless? After all, Roglic is an outstanding descender also, while the Slovenian is the best sprinter of all GC-contenders.

In short, the 8th stage is hard to predict. Basically, there are three likely scenarios: early break, late attack, or a sprint of a select group. But, most importantly, the finale itself is laid out for a thriller showdown.

Favourites 8th stage 2019 Giro d’Italia
*** Caleb Ewan, Diego Ulissi, Enrico Battaglin, Tao Geoghegan Hart
** Thomas De Gendt, Tony Gallopin, Esteban Chaves, Florian Sénéchal
* Primoz Roglic, Vincenzo Nibali, Simon Yates, Richard Carapaz

Check out the route of stage 8.