Giro 2019 Favourites stage 4: Uphill sprint of select group

Lots of scenario's are applicable. The 4th stage of the Giro d'Italia could come down to a day for the breakaway. Or a late attack. Or an uphill sprint of strong men. Or... (Slideshow route/profile)

Sprint teams are unlikely to see opportunities, so they will be unwilling to control the race. Yet, the route is ideal for a bunch sprint – that is, if you don’t take the final kilometres into account. Following 223 kilometres on rolling roads, the last 2.5 kilometres go up at 4 to 5% with a kick-up of 7%.

The breakaway is likely to be successful if no team is willing to control the break, but chances are the men of the pink jersey want to defend their treasure. In that case a sprint of resilient all-rounders or a late attack could bear fruit.

The slope in the last kilometre sits at 4%, while the final straight is 250 metres long.

Favourites 4th stage 2019 Giro d’Italia
*** Thomas De Gendt, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Fausto Masnada
** Rubén Plaza, Diego Ulissi, Alexis Vuillermoz
* Fernando Gaviria, Bob Jungels, Ben O’Connor

Check out the route of stage 4.