Departure town Agliè, located in Piedmont, is a small commune north of Turin. The main attraction is Castello Ducale, a huge castle with 300 rooms dating back to the 12th century.
The bunch leaves for Biella, to the northeast and crest their first col of La Serra after just 30 kilometres. This a modest climbs to loosen the legs, located at 584 metres. The next, Alpe Novel, is located at an altitude of 1,099 metres and is reached after 93 kilometres in the saddle. Another 40 kilometres ‘down’ the road the riders crest the top in Bielmonte (1,482 metres), an area well-known to skiers and hikers. The ascent is 18.3 kilometres long and the longest climb of the day.
The bunch descend 100 metres over the next 30 kilometres and arrive back in Biella again, located at 414 metres. Through this beautiful medievel town and the road ascends again as the riders face one last climb to the finish in Santuario di Oropa, at 1,142 metres. It’s an 11.8 kilometre ascent with an average gradient of 6.2%, rising to 13% at the steepest parts.
Oropa was also the arrival the arrival in the infamous 1999 stage when Pantani had mechanical difficulties at the bottom before then overtaking 49 riders in the last 8 kilometres to win the stage . Six days later he was removed from the race with his hematocrit exceeding the then 50% limit that was then in place.
Giro 2014 stage 14: Images and more
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