Giro 2020 Favourites stage 18: Grueling journey over the Stelvio

Will the breakaway be successful or is a maglia rosa contender going to turn out on top? A big clash is waiting to reveal itself on stage 18. The Stelvio is - with 24.7 kilometres at 7.5% - the climb of the day, but the triumph will be decided on the ascent up to the Lakes of Cancano.

The 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia is long and grueling. The first part features the climb to Campo Carlo Magno (15.3 kilometres at 6.1%) and the Hofmanhdjoch (8 kilometres at 8.5%). At the highest point of this pass the riders are still only a third into the race.

The middle section is nothing special. Basically it is a run-up to the Stelvio.

The riders tackle the renowned pass in Prad am Silfersjoch. On this side the ascent is 24.7 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 7.5%. The first part is relatively easy before the last 14 kilometres rise at around 9%. Whoever finds himself way down in the GC could opt for an all-or-nothing strategy. There are 40 kilometres left atop the Stelvio, more than half of which goes downhill.

Shortly after the Stelvio descent the riders enter the finish climb. The road to the Laghi di Cancano is very photo-genetic with sixteen hairpins just before the climb levels out. It is not advisable to wait too long with a winning attack, because the last 2.7 kilometers are virtually flat. The first 8.7 kilometers of the haul up to the lakes rise at 6.8%.

Favourites 18th stage 2020 Giro d’Italia
*** Thomas De Gendt, Jonathan Castroviejo, Wilco Kelderman
** Jakob Fuglsang, Vincenzo Nibali, Rafal Majka, João Almeida
* Ilnur Zakarin, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Jai Hindley, Fausto Masnada

Another interesting read: route stage 18 Giro d’Italia.

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