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Returning from its first rest day, the Giro peloton today tackles the first of this year’s high mountain stages; the 167km stage 10 from Cordenons to Altopiano del Montasio.
Join us from 11:00pm AEST as we pick up the action on what is certain to be an exciting – and telling – day of climbing.
Stage 10’s profile is dominated by the two first category climbs in its second half.
First, the Passo Cason di Lanza is a two-part climb totaling 907m of elevation gain.
Its vicious ramps, the steepest of which approach 16%, will thin the peloton significantly.
Those who remain in the group over this climb and down its long descent will then face the Altopianno del Montasio – 22km ascending to a summit of 1519m.
Don’t be fooled by the modest average gradient; its first 11km are more “false flat” than climb, after which it picks up relentlessly, and a ramp of 20% near its summit offers a tantalising opportunity for the specialist climbers to launch late attacks.
Look out for:
1) Cadel Evans’ climbing legs – Performing far better than expected throughout the first week, the Giro’s first summit finish will reveal just what Evans has in his legs and whether he should be considered a genuine threat.
2) Team Sky’s tactics – With three riders in the top ten, look for how the team attacks the climbs.
Will they push an unrelenting, constantly high rate as they did so successfully in the 2012 Tour, or will they instead consider an attack to steal time bonuses from Wiggins’ main GC rivals?
3) Vincenzo Nibali’s intentions – starting the day in a commanding position after a strong time trial and consistent week, will he be content to hold the wheels of the other big contenders?
Don’t expect him to be dropped easily, but equally don’t be surprised if he gives away the Maglia Rosa this early in the race.
4) The sideshow – In what will surely be seen by most as a distraction from the “real” action of the day, the intermediate sprint at around 80km (before any of the climbing) will offer an opportunity for the sprinters to reveal any red jersey aspirations.
With Evans in red, will Cavendish contest the sprint, or save his legs?
Live updates will kick off at 11:00pm AEST.
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