By @amatiz12
Viareggio › Rapolano Terme (180km)
Sterrato day!
Very complicated day in the last 50 kilometers, which contain hidden traps that will make the peloton explode and will mark differences in the general classification.
We start with 70 km completely flat, then a 4th category followed by an up and down until we reach the segment that interests us.
At that 50 mark the land begins, which will add a dozen kilometers in total. Two practically continuous sectors, the second of them being a categorized ascent, which is, in turn, the first deception of this route.
It is another 4th, with 3.3 km at 5% on paper, but in reality it contains ramps of up to 15%, which added to the technical difficulty of pedaling on the dust, will split the lot into several pieces.
Those who have run Strade Bianche are familiar with these sections, which in this addition to the Giro, present slight modifications.
Next, a false plain of almost 25 km that will not allow room to recover from the effort already made. 18 minutes from the finish line, the third and final sector, 2400 meters long, very technical, uphill and downhill, with curves, very tedious. Second trap.
Once the dusty challenge is over, a brief descent and from there, all uphill, in theory with steep inclines until 5 km to go, where the third and major obstacle not mentioned in the route sheet is located.
It is the Serre di Rapulano wall, which is around 800 meters that reaches slopes of up to 20%, which will end up breaking the race, if it is not already broken.
The finish is at 6%, which adds that touch of explosiveness to this partial.
Climate
Pleasant, with sun in sight.
Scenery
It is not a Strade Bianche nor is it as tough as the Montalcino stage in 2021, but it is clearly a key day in the fight for the podium.
Taking into account that relevance and that we have an ambitious Pogi, the victory of the day should be among the favorites. It is true that a good escape can take the lead and surely some hunters who have hidden at the beginning will begin to show their cards.
If the sterrato already sets off the alarms, it will do so especially for the less skilled, such as O’Connor, Martínez, Rubio or Uijtdebroeks. It’s the kind of stage that can take people like this out of the game, so for them their best operation is to save the day, nothing more.
For this reason, one would expect that Thomas or Lutsenko, who have the skills for these terrains, will try to get a light in favor of the podium, if they have the strength, of course.
For Pogacar it will be another day of fun because he handles the land perfectly and it is another victory within reach to add to his record.
Favorites
Tadej Pogacar – Top favorite.
Geraint Thomas – The best of mortals.
Alexey Lutsenko – Great chance to advance in the general classification.
Jhonatan Narváez – After Saturday, he is a clear candidate for climbs that are right up his alley.
Julian Alaphilippe – From a leak it would be a threat.
Jan Tratnik – If he doesn’t have to take care of Cian, he’s a good candidate.
Maximilian Schachmann – It is his terrain and he was already 2nd in Turin.
Prediction
The second for Tadeo.
Alejandro Matiz
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