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Stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia is the last flat sprinters’ stage before the riders finish the three-week race in Torino.
This stage will be the end for a few of the key sprinters you would feel, including Andre Griepel who will be looking to rest up before he prepares for the Tour de France in six week’s time.
Therefore, a person like Griepel would love to leave the Giro with another stage win to an already successful race so far for his team Lotto-Soudal.
The stage is the least complicated of the tour, with their being pancake flat roads all the way between the starting point in Noale, and 182 kilometres further down the road in the finishing town of Bibione.
There are two intermediate sprint points on today’s route, in Ormelle after 95 kilometres, and Portogruaro after 131 kilometres.
The only real obstacle on today’s course are the final two circuits around the finishing town, with their being long straights, combined with 90 degree cornners. Positioning in the bunch will be key as always, but only a fairly technical circuit, may be a little more so than usual.
As mentioned earlier, with him already take two stage wisn so far this race, and with the powerhouse Marcel Kittel already gone from the race, German Andre Griepel looks like the man to beat heading into potentially his final stage of the tour.
His team have been solid for him in the leadout thus far, and he will be looking for them to position him well again in the technical final. Griepel has the outright pace to win over any of the current sprinters in the race, so he must be the head favourite.
Arnaud Demare has twice finished second so far in sprints this tour, and will be looking to get that illusive stage win before also potentially heading home. The Frenchmen will be a key player for FDJ at the Tour de France, so much like Griepel will want to go out with a bang.
Demare must get on the wheel of Griepel in the finale, as his leadout train is less than impressive.
After being in sparkling form at the Tour of Turkey, Sacha Modolo has been consistent, with two third place performances on stages, but will want to crack his first win against the likes of Griepel and Demare before they go home. Modolo has the pace to feature, and a solid leadout train that can potentially challenge Lotto-Soudal.
However, l doubt Modolo has the outright speed to beat Griepel, but you never know.
Other riders to look out for include Kristian Sparagli (Dimension Data), Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling), Caleb Ewan (Orica Orica-GreenEDGE), Alexander Porsev (Katusha), Moreno Hofland (Lotto NL-Jumbo) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo).
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