Giro dItalia 2016 Favourites stage 18: Bold descenders with puncheurs legs

Giro d’Italia 2016 Favourites stage 18: Bold descenders with puncheurs’ legs

At 240 kilometres stage 18 is the longest in the 2016 Giro d'Italia. However, the race actually starts with 200 kilometrs done. A steep hill with 20 kilometres left and a cobbled climbs that's crested with 2 kilometres remaining. Who is going to win this thrilling finale? (Slideshow route/profile)

With 211 kilometres done the route takes a first pass over the finish line in Pinerolo. And it’s there the battle will be on. The Pramartino-klim is 4.65 kilometres at 10.5% with halfway a steepest section at 17%. At the top it’s 20 kilometres remaining, mostly downhill. But… not all! With 2.5 kilometres left the short drag up to San Maurizio appears, a cobbled climb at only 540 metres but with an average grade of 13.4% and a steepest stretch at 20%. Then the rider plummet down before the last 1.5 kilometres are on level roads.

What a finale!

In order to win you got to be an explosive climber with good descending skills. And as the race is likely to boil down to a sprint of a select group you got to be able to hit top speeds in the dying metres.

Favourites 18th stage Giro d’Italia 2016:

*** Alejandro Valverde, Diego Ulissi
** Gianluca Brambilla, Enrico Battaglin, Matteo Trentin, Tim Wellens
* Giacomo Nizzolo, Sonny Colbrelli, Sacha Modolo