Giro 2024 Favourites stage 15: Key stage in high mountains

fotobureau Cor VosAt 222 kilometres, the last stage ahead of the second rest day is not only the longest race of the entire Giro, it also features the most elevation gain: 5.400 metres. Doubtless, the mountainous leg will turn out to be crucial for the GC. Tadej Pogacar's final blow to knock out the competition? (Slideshow route/profile)

After a false flat run-up, the first climb of the day (7.3 kilometres at 4.5%) is completed after 37.7 kilometres. The riders then descend to the Colle di San Zeno (13.9 kilometres at 6.6%) and continue onto a flat intermezzo of 60 kilometres leading to the feared and revered Mortirolo Pass. It's tackled from the 'easier' side, which still entails 12.6 kilometres of climbing at a 7.6% gradient.

Following the downhill, the route rises false flat over 20 kilometres until the pre-finale opens on the 3.1 kilometres climb at 7.5% to Le Motte. A short descent leads to the intermediate sprint for time bonuses in Isolaccia, after which the Passo di Foscagno commences.

The Foscagno climbs over 15 kilometres at a 6.4% gradient before a 7 kilometres downhill precedes the brutal finishing climb. The average gradient of the Mottolino is not overly intimidating - 7.6% over 4.7 kilometres -, but it's the last 1.8 kilometres that are venomous. The first kilometre ascends at 10.2% and the remainder at 8.6%.

We're betting on a Tadej Pogacar one-man show. Don't be surprised if he attacks as early as the Mortirolo to make his mark and solo to victory.

Favourites 15th stage 2024 Giro d'Italia

*** Tadej Pogacar
** Juan Pedro López, Nairo Quintana, Damiano Caruso, Esteban Chaves
* Thymen Arensman, Ben O’Connor, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Romain Bardet

Another interesting read: route 15th stage 2024 Giro.