On paper, the race to Camigliatello Silano serves an opportunity for attackers to fight for the stage honours. It remains to be seen whether the practice will align with the theory, but the terrain leading onto the Válico di Montescuro is perfect to open up a huge gap. The first half of the race is undulating and after the midway marker the riders traverse more hilly roads. Until, obviously, the last climb appears.
With the exception of a short section halfway, the Válico di Montescuro is not steep at all. It’s the length that will do the damage. But, expectedly, the gradients are too shallow for the GC riders to open fire. The terrain is simply not demanding enough to open up proper time gaps.
On the other hand, it is perfect for the best climbers in the breakaway to hurt their companions/rivals.
A breakaway battle for the stage win depends on the leader of the race. Is Almeida okay with a new man in pink? Or does he want to keep the maglia rosa on his own shoulders? We would opt for the last scenario. If so, the breakaway will not be given too much leash and a late attack could also turn out to be successful.
On the other hand, the likes of Gallopin, Conti and Geoghegan Hart are minutes behind the pink jersey in the GC.
In any case, ambitious riders have to take note of the last kilometre, which runs false flat uphill. That could be a decisive factor in a sprint finish of a select group.
Favourites stage 5 Giro d’Italia 2020
*** Valerio Conti, Tony Gallopin, Tao Geoghegan Hart
** Thomas De Gendt, Mark Padun, Lawson Craddock, Victor de la Parte
* Sam Oomen, Larry Warbasse, Fausto Masnada, Matteo Fabbro, Enrico Battaglin
Another interesting read: route stage 5 Giro d’Italia 2020.
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