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.
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Giro 2022 Route stage 12: Parma - Genoa
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 12: Strongmen sprinters, or attackers
Giro 2022 Route stage 13: San Remo - Cuneo
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 13: Sprint in Cuneo
Giro 2022 Route stage 14: Santena - Turin
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 14: Hilly race to suit attackers
Giro 2022 Route stage 15: Rivarolo Canavese - Cogne
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 15: Breakaway day at altitude
Giro 2022 Route stage 16: Salò - Aprica
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 16: For pure bred climbers
Giro 2022 Route stage 17: Ponte di Legno - Lavarone
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 17: Climbers eyeing pink
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 18: For fast men #5
Giro 2022 Route stage 19: Marano Lagunare - Castelmonte
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 19: Steep ramps to suit the breakaway
Giro 2022 Route stage 20: Belluno - Passo Fedaia
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 20: Final GC clash in high mountains
Cycling Calendar 2022
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Vuelta 2022: The Route
