It is seventy years ago since Fausto Coppi won the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France for the first time in the same year. He did it again in 1952, but it was also in 1949 that Il Campionissimo left his rival Gino Bartali by 11 minutes on a 254 kilometres route between Cuneo and Pinerolo. He rode 192 kilometres alone through the Alps to set up that year’s GC victory.
Obviously, given the distance of 158 kilometres, the 12th stage on the 2019 Giro d’Italia could not include all the same climbs – Col de la Madeleine, Col de Vars, Col d’Izoard, Colle del Monginevro and Sestriere. But disappointingly, the 2019 race covers far easier climbs on the road to Pinerolo. Colletta di Rossana and Colletta di Paesana are nothing in comparison with those giants. The toughest climb of the day, with its peak at 1,248 metres, is crested with 32 kilometres remaining. It is the trying Montoso ascent: 8.8 kilometres long and the average slope sits at 9.5%.
Three editions ago the Giro saw its last finish in Pinerolo. Bringing the early break home, Matteo Trentin won that stage following a race with two climbs in the last 50 kilometres. Breakaway riders fighting for the stage honours is a likely scenario in 2019 also, although a sprint of a select group is not unthinkable either. The riders tackle a cobbled climb of 500 metres at 13.2% inside the last 2.5 kilometres.
The first three riders on the line win time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the second intermediate sprint – at kilometre 142.3 – comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Another interesting read: results 12th stage 2019 Giro d’Italia.
Giro d’Italia 2019 stage 12: routes, profiles, more
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