Giro 2024 Favourites stage 17: Double up on the Brocon

foto: Cor VosThe 17th stage of the Giro is yet another brutal test in the high mountains. The riders will conquer four alpine giants on the route from Selva di Gardena to the finish at Passo Brocon. The finishing climb is approached from two different sides. Attackers or GC riders, it's hard to predict. (Slideshow route/profile)

But let’s assume that Tadej Pogacar feels inspired by the race profile and the resonating names of the climbs, and that his team will take charge in controlling the stage. If that happens, he is the man to beat. As is essentially always the case when he sets his mind to it.

The climbs are evenly distributed throughout the course. Right from the start, the riders ascend the Passo Selva (8.9 kilometres at 7.4%) before a long downhill takes them to the Passo Rolle (19.8 kilometres at 4.8%). After tackling the shortest climb of the day, Passo Gobbera (5.8 kilometres at 5.8%), the Giro heads towards a double ascent of the Passo Brocon.

The first ascent of the colossus is from the northeast side, which is a 13.3 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 6.5%. There are still 21.8 kilometres left to race at the summit. It begins with a descent into Pieve Tesino before the Brocon is tackled from the southwest. This way, the climb covers 12.2 kilometres of uphill torture at 6.4%

Favourites 17th stage 2024 Giro d’Italia

*** Valentin Paret-Peintre, Michael Storer, Giulio Pellizzari
** Romain Bardet, Thymen Arensman, Nairo Quintana, Damiano Caruso, Georg Steihauser
* Tadej Pogacar, Mauri Vansevenant, Attila Valter, Esteban Chaves, Nicola Conci

Another interesting read: route 17th stage 2024 Giro.