Giro 2023 Favourites stage 5: For fast men#2

foto: Cor VosAlthough it's far from flat, the route of the 5th stage on the Giro looks enticing for the sprinters. Virtually all positive elevation gain is concentrated in the first part of the race, while the last 35 kilometres are completely flat. (Slideshow route/profile)

The first 70 kilometres run uphill from 269 to 972 metres above sea level. Sometimes steep, but mostly not. Sometimes on descent, but mostly not. The total elevation gain in the stage is roughly 2,500 metres and most of it is packed together in this part of the race.

The terrain is perfect for the breakaway and if the roads would have continued like this the stage would have been a certain catch for the attackers. But not now. The last 100 kilometres of the route are relatively easy. A lot of descent, some short uphill kickers, and a pan plat finale of almost 40 kilometres.

If the sprint teams do not give the breakaway too much leash, reeling in the attackers should be easy before we’ll see a fast finishers showdown in Salerno.

The last 7 kilometres are ridden on a straight road along the Tyrrhenian coast. A royal sprint finish, if you wish.

The first sprint finish was marred by a crash inside the last 4 kilometres, so this will be – hopefully – the first proper bunch sprint. The San Salvo sprint on the second day was won by Jonathan Milan.

Favourites 5th stage 2023 Giro d’Italia

*** Mads Pedersen, Michael Matthews, Kaden Groves
** Pascal Ackermann, Fernando Gaviria, Arne Marit
* Magnus Cort, Jonathan Milan, Alberto Dainese, Davide Ballerini

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2023 Giro.