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In all, 211 kilometres of rolling roads greets the riders on Stage 7 of the Giro d’Italia.
The day after the first mountain stage always has the potential to end up in the breakaway taking the win, and this could be an option today – however another reduced group sprint is likely.
The stage starts in Sulmona and almost immediately start to climb, with the category two climb to Le Svolte di Popoli. The climb is a 8.5 kilometre test at around 5.8 per cent average gradient.
A short descent is then on the cards before a 15 kilometre gradual rise greets the riders until they hit Bv. di Barisciano, where the riders start their descent into the first of two intermediate sprints in the town of L’Aquila after 60 kilometres.
Another gradual rise in the road for 20 kilometres before the riders descend for the next 75 kilometres all the way into the bottom of the final climb.
At 13 kilometres at about four per cent, the climb is fairly easy, but the final five kilometres averages out at over five per cent. The summit of this climb is at 40 kilometres to go, and should see a few of the heavier sprinters get dropped, depending on the race situation, and how hard the peloton completes the climb.
Either way, off the final climb there is a 15 kilometre descent until the final 25 kilometres of flat roads into the finish. Incorporated into the final 40 kilometres is the final intermediate sprint with 30 kilometres to go into the town of Spoleto.
The final kilometres have a few technical sections within the final two kilometres, with one right-hand bend quickly followed by two left-hand bends lead into the homestretch with 1,300 m left to go. There is just one last, mild bend 500m before the finish line.
Positioning will be key, especially into the two left hand bends which are 90 degree corners.
A sprint expected, but will any of the favourites miss out?
Marcel Kittel will most likely not be there, but Andre Greipel could be, as he is good at getting over long gradual climbs.
However, for mine, we will see the punchy sprinters like Sonny Colbrelli get their chance.
Though, it all depends on how the race is ridden over the climbs.
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