Two minor climbs (both roughly 4 kilometres at 5.5%) and a descent are the prelude to the Passo dello Stelvio. The riders enter the colossus after 33 kilometres of action.
The Stelvio is a 20.2 kilometres toil with an average gradient of 7.2% to an elevation of 2,758 metres. Obviously, the giant is the Cima Coppi on thos year’s Giro.
The riders fly down to Prato allo Stelvio and follow the Adige valley for tens of kilometres. Shortly after Bolzano – with 35 kilometres left to race – the route returns to climbing. The Passo Pinei totals 23.4 kilometres, while the average gradients sits at 4.7%. But, the first part and the last part are harder than that statistic suggests.
The Passo Pinei peaks out with 12 kilometres remaining. The first part is on descent before the roads begin to slope again. At first at moderate gradients, then 1.5 kilometres at 6.8%, false flat again, and then the brutal finale kicks in. The last 2 kilometres of Monte Pana rise at 11.8% to the line.
The second intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds, while the first three riders on the line gain 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 16th stage 2024 Giro d’Italia.
Stage 16 of the Giro starts at 11:25 and the race is expected to finish around 17:15 – both are local times (CET).
Giro d’Italia 2024 stage 16: routes, profiles, videos
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