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Mikel Nieve (Sky) took out Stage 13 ahead of Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) after sitting in a big breakaway group for much of the day. Meanwhile, Bon Jungels (Etixx Quickstep) lost his hold on pink with Andrey Amador (Movistar) taking over.
Top 5
1 Mikel Nieve (Sky) @ 4:31:49
2 Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) + 0:43
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) + 1:17
4 Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) + 1:17
5 Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) + 1:17
Top 5 General Classification
1 Andrey Amador (Movistar) @ 54:05:50
2 Bob Jungels (Etixx – Quick-Step) + 0:26
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) + 0:41
4 Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) + 0:43
5 Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNl-Jumbo) + 0:43
The climbers get a chance to push claims for the general classification on Stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia, the first of four punishing days in the mountains. Join The Roar for live coverage from 10pm (AEST).
After a horribly cold and wet ride through what was supposed to be the easiest day of the Giro yesterday, Andre Greipel has won a stage and departed and today’s 170 kilometre stage from Palmanova to Cividale del Friuli should see a serious shake up.
The GC is currently led by Bob Jungels (Etixx Quickstep) by just 24 seconds over Andrey Amador (Movistar) and 1:07 to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). While Jungels is tipped to struggle hanging onto his advantage during the big mountain stages, with a descent to the line today he has a solid chance of keeping the pink.
The stage will start out easy enough, with the first 50 kilometres being over the a false flat. From there though, the climbing will start with four categorised climbs on the menu – two Category 2 and two Category 1.
The first is the Category 1 Montemaggiore, summited 113 kilometres from the line and while it should be ridden at a fairly even tempo without the threat of attacks the race could well start to toughen up from this point. With 8.3 kilometres of uphill at an average gradient of over nine per cent, it is far from easy.
After a 15 kilometre descent that is broken up by an uphill ramp the riders take on the Category 2 climb to Crai. While the whole climb comes in with 8.8 kilometres at 6.4 per cent, the first 4 are closer to 10 per cent.
Following the descent there are almost 30 kilometres of valley roads before they hit the Category 1 Cima Porzus. Then another 8 kilometres at almost 9 per cent, and with a maximum gradient of 16 per cent, attacks should definitely start going here.
A steep descent follows before the final Category 2 climb to Valle – the shortest and easiest of the day, but with all the climbing already in the legs and what is likely to be a very small main peloton the attacks will come thick and fast.
The finish line won’t be at the top with a 7 kilometre descent, followed by 7 kilometres of flat.
Alejandro Valverde is the man primed to move into pink if Jungels falters, but the likes of Esteban Chavez (Orica) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) have looked in strong form and will consider themselves favourites for the day’s stage.
Others to watch are Rafal Majka (Tinkoff), Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale), Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto Jumbo) and Ryder Hesejdal (Trek-Segafredo).
Prediction
This stage is suited down to the ground (literally) for Nibali with the long descent to the line. Chavez will be aggressive and I expect a three-up sprint between the pair of them and Valverde.
Bob Jungels should do enough to retain pink as well.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this important stage from 10pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde