After the start in San Remo the riders follow the Ligurian coast for awhile. In Imperia the pink caravan turns inland – first false flat up, then false flat down -, before the only climb of the day appears. The Colle di Nava is 11.1 kilometres long and averages 6.2%. Still more than 100 kilometres to go at the top.
The route is never entirely flat during the rest of the day, but the gradients are extemerly shallow – 1%, 2%, that’s it. Until the passage at the Santuario di Vicoforte the road goes false flat down and after the monumental church it goes false flat up.
The question remains whether or not any teams see a benefit to drop pure sprinters on the Colle di Nava and to spend energy during the following 100 kilometres to prevent them from regaining contact. Odds are that no one wants to burn his fingers.
If so, an entire peloton is likely to sprint for the win in Cuneo. If not, a sprint of a decimated peloton is the most probable outcome. Altough a successful breakaway is also an option.
Favourites 13th stage 2022 Giro d’Italia
*** Mathieu van der Poel, Arnaud Démare, Fernando Gaviria
** Alberto Dainese, Cees Bol, Giacomo Nizzolo, Vincenzo Albanese
* Valerio Conti, Fabio Felline, Davide Ballerini, Andrea Pasqualon
Another interesting read: route 13th stage 2022 Giro.