Giro 2024 Favourites stage 15: Key stage in high mountains

foto: 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.