Giro 2023 Favourites stage 6: Fast men or breakaway

image: Cor VosThe 6th stage of the Giro is somewhat similar to the 5th. That is, quite a lot of climbing in the first part and a flat second part. But since the climbs in the first part are harder, attackers will have more chance to survive. (Slideshow route/profile)

On the other hand, the likes of Michael Matthews – so sprinters with a strongmen skill set – and their teams could opt for a third scenario. Getting rid of the pure sprinters in the mountainous first part, while simultaneously holding the break within reach. This would give the race an interesting dynamic with a finale on three fronts:

– Break trying to stay away
– First peloton chasing to make the catch, while simultaneously holding the pure sprinters at bay
– Second peloton chasing to make it back at all

The riders set off from Naples to circle around Mount Vesuvius before entering the first climb. The Valico di Chiunzi is 8.3 kilometres long and averages 6.3%. Following a short downhill the climbing continues for a bit on the Colle di San Pietro (3 kilometres at 4.5%) before the riders fly down to Amalfi. An undulating section along the beautiful coast leads to Positano. First a 2.8 kilometres climb at 5.3% and then the route continues on the Picco Sant’Angelo. This ascent is 9 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 4%.

The Giro descends into Sorrento from the Picco Sant’Angelo before the last 55 kilometers around the Bay of Naples are predominantly flat.

Favourites 6th stage 2023 Giro d’Italia

*** Michael Matthews, Mads Pedersen, Kaden Groves
** Fernando Gaviria, Stefano Oldani, Filippo Zana, Natnael Tesfatsion
* Magnus Cort, Stefan Küng, Mads Würtz Schmidt, Ryan Gibbons, Laurenz Rex

Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2023 Giro.