Skip Madness
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The mountains begin. Today's climbs are:
Croce d'Aune (2nd Category) - 8.5km at 7.5% (max. 12%)
San Martino di Castrozza (Arrival Category) - 13.7km at 5.5% (max. 10%)
This could go one of several ways. It seems unlikely that we will see big time gaps for two reasons: (1) because the climbs are noteable but neither is as difficult as those found elsewhere in the Giro; and (2) because the favourites will be keeping eyes on each other, waiting to see who makes the first move, which often results in conservative rides. Riders will also be keeping half an eye on tomorrow's stage finish to Alpe di Siusi, which is much more significant.
And yet... This stage is not so different from the Tour stage to Prato Nevoso last year (the finishing climb is incredibly similar), which saw attacks of note. The first climb is not especially long, but is difficult enough to provide a jolt to some riders whose shape is not quite there - Damiano Cunego lost a chunk of time on the not-dissimilar (though notably longer) Passo Duran back in 2005.
The money for today appears to be behind Danilo di Luca or Damiano Cunego, or possibly Stefano Garzelli - climbers who do not need to worry about excessive gradients and can sprint well. For what it is worth, I reckon Cunego's team-mate Marzio Bruseghin will pull it off. The climbs should not be difficult enough to drop him, and the other GC riders will be more worried about his captain. I think Lampre will be better suited to support Bruseghin than Cunego in this Giro.
Any predictions?
