Giro 2023 Favourites stage 14: Sprinters surviving the Simplon Pass
foto: Cor VosWhich sprinters are going to survive the Simplon Pass? That's the question mark hovering above the 14th stage of the Giro. Without the mountain the race would have been an easy catch for the sprinters. (Slideshow route/profile)
The 20.2 kilometres climb at 6.5% is situated 138 kilometres before the finish and the route after the descent is as good as flat. That’s the equivalent of 90 kilometres.
Three scenario’s spring to mind. Firstly, a breakaway with some big engines on board ride away in the first part of the race and carve out such a lead that it’s undoable to bring them back. Secondly, a number of sprinters with a strongmen skill set latch on in the peloton while ascending the Simplon Pass before their teams bring the breakaway back while simultaneously keeping dropped sprinters at bay. Thirdly, it all comes back together after the climb and we’ll see a bunch sprint in the streets of Cassano Magnago.
Given the hardness of the Simplon Pass the last scenario is the least likely. On the other hand, if all sprinters are dropped there will be a lot of teams with an interest to chase down the peloton and the breakaway. On yet another hand, with one of the most prominent sprinters, Mads Pedersen, out of the race, a chase might not take off at all.
Favourites 14th stage 2023 Giro d’Italia
*** Alberto Bettiol, Michael Matthews, Magnus Cort
** Vincenzo Abanese, Tom Skujins, Jonathan Milan, Alessandro De Marchi
* Brandon McNulty, Simon Clarke, Bauke Mollema, Derek Gee, Davide Ballerini
Another interesting read: route 14th stage 2023 Giro.
Giro d’Italia 2023 stage 14: profile, route finale
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Milan retains maglia ciclamino - Giro 2023 The Route - Giro 2023 Favourites - Giro 2023 stage 20: Start times Monte Lussari ITT - Giro 2023 Withdrawals - Giro 2023 stage 9: Start times ITT - Giro 2023 Riders - Giro 2023 GC Favourites - Giro 2023 More articles Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route ITT (m/w)
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Start list + times ITT – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Start list + times ITT – women
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route road race – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Riders road race – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route road race – women
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Riders road race – women
Clásica de San Sebastián 2024: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2024: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 1: Rotterdam - The Hague
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 2: Dordrecht - Rotterdam
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 3: Rotterdam ITT
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 4: Valkenburg - Liège
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 5: Bastogne - Amnéville
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 6: Remiremont - Morteau
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 7: Champagnole - Grand-Bornand
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 8: Grand-Bornand - Alpe d'Huez
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Vuelta 2024: Riders
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 1: Lisbon - Oeiras
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 2: Cascais - Ourém
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 3: Lousã - Castelo Branco
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 4: Plasencia - Pico Pitolero
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 5: Fuente del Maestre - Seville
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 6: Jerez de la Frontera - Yunquera
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 7: Archidona – Córdoba
Cycling Calendar 2024
Tour de France 2024: Withdrawals
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!