Giro 2022 Favourites stage 1: Puncher in pink

foto: Cor VosThe opener of the Giro is tailor-made for a bunch sprint. That is, if the finish would be 5,6 kilometer earlier. The climb to Visegrád Citadel makes it a treat for punchers.

To see 42-year old Alejandro Valverde climb into the first pink jersey in his career, that would be something. And why not? His characreristics and the characteristics of the stage are much allined. For kilometres the route is flat and then the relatively short climb up to the Visegrád Citadel kicks in. Chances are the race will come down to a sprint of a select group.

The likes of Van der Poel, Girmay and Ulissi will also dream pink in the run-up to the 1st stage of the Italian Grand Tour.

Favourites 1st stage 2022 Giro d’Italia

*** Alejandro Valverde, Mathieu van der Poel, Biniam Girmay
** Magnus Cort, Diego Ulissi, João Almeida, Attila Valter
* Caleb Ewan, Pello Bilbao, Davide Formolo, Davide Ballerini

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2022 Giro.

Giro Stage 2

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