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[VIDEO] 2015 Giro d'Italia: Stage 11 highlights, live coverage

20th May, 2015
Start: Forli
Finish: Imola
Distance: 147km
Time: 10:30pm (AEST)
TV: SBS (LIVE)
The Giro d'Italia has reached its 16th stage. (Image: Giro Rosa).
Roar Guru
20th May, 2015
80

Where the Giro d’Italia goes controversy often follows, or so it seems, but with a race still to run the peloton must still mount their bikes for the 153 kilometre journey from Forli to Imola. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 11 from 10:30pm (AEST).

If ridden at a high tempo today’s eleventh stage has the potential to cause just as much damage to the peloton as Stage 4 did during the first week of the race.

Climbing over 2000 metres in accumulated elevation gain, Stage 11 features several tough categorised and uncategorised climbs.

Upon leaving Forli the road will begin ascending slowly to the foot of the Category 3 rated Passo del Trebbio (6.3km at 6.3 per cent), which the peloton will reach 17.7 kilometres in to the stage. The initial four kilometres of the ascent will be the toughest at an average grade of 7.2 per cent, with the gradient lessening to a more bearable 4.6 per cent for the remaining 2.3 kilometres to the summit.

Almost immediately after the descent the peloton will begin the ascending up to Monte Casale, an uncategorised climb on today’s parcours. Unofficially 4.3 kilometres in length, the climb to Monte Casale features an average gradient of 2.2 per cent for the first kilometre, 10.1 per cent for the next two kilometres and 5.9 per cent for the final 1.3 kilometres to the summit.

There will be a roughly five kilometre long gap between the conclusion of the descent down from Monte Casale and the next uncategorised climb to La Valletta. Featuring an average gradient of 9.8 per cent over a short distance of 2.7 kilometres with sectors as high as 14 per cent, the ascent up to La Valletta will be painfully difficult.

After cresting the summit of the La Valletta a 3.1 kilometre-long descent follows, leading the peloton right in to the beginning of the ascent to Monte Albano. Another uncategorised climb, the Monte Albano is unofficially 4.6 kilometres in length at an average gradient of 6.1 per cent, with some early sectors reaching a maximum of 9 per cent.

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The climbs keep coming thick and fast for the peloton as 6.5 kilometre-long descent, and slight ascent near the end, leads the riders in to the Category 3 rated Valico del Prugno. Also known as the Passo del Prugno, the ascent is officially listed as being 5.6 kilometres in length at an average gradient of 6.2 per cent, with some sectors reaching a maximum grade of 9 per cent.

Another descent beckons for the peloton after cresting the summit of the Valico del Prugno as the race turns in a clockwise direction towards Imola. Upon reaching Imola with 57.9 kilometres of the stage remaining the peloton will begin three laps of a 15.4 kilometre-long circuit which uses parts of the famous Autdromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Approaching the finishing line for the first time and during the subsequent three laps after the peloton will climb the Category 4 rated Tre Monti. Officially 4.4 kilometres long according to race organisers RCS the climb features an average gradient of 4.1 per cent, however, that figure is deceptive due to the irregular nature of the slope with some sectors averaging 7-8 per cent and reaching a maximum grade of 10 per cent.

Being distanced over the climb could prove costly with just 7.6 kilometres from the summit of the Tre Monti down to the finishing line in the Autdromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Occurring on weaving, winding two-lane country roads the 6.7 kilometre-long descent will be technical, with some of the tougher corners possibly catching out weak descenders.

The final 700 metres of the stage will be on the home straight of the Autdromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, so the riders can expect to be fighting for the stage honours on a eight metre wide, well surfaced, perfectly level tarmac surface. Which could be an important factor due to current weather forecasts predicting a 50 per cent chance of precipitation during the stage, with a poor road surface the last thing the rider will want during rainy weather.

It should prove to be yet another exciting stage full of suspense and drama so remember to join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 11 of the 2015 Giro d’Italia from 10:30pm (AEST).

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