Giro dItalia 2016 Favourites stage 4: Tough sprinters and late escapees

Giro d’Italia 2016 Favourites stage 4: Tough sprinters and late escapees

Short and nasty climbs in quick succession mark the final 20 kilometres of the 4th stage in the 2016 Giro d'Italia. Not all sprinters will be pleased, especially a notorious non-climber like Marcel Kittel won't like it. Who are the biggest contenders to be victorious in stage 4? (Slideshow route/profile)

The hilly finale opens up opportunities for other sprinters than Kittel or for a late escapee to be successful. Time trialists such as Bob Jungels and Stefan Küng are possible contenders. Recently, Jungels showed good form in the Tour de Romandie, a race in which Küng won a stage in last’s year edition after a 30 kilometres solo.

That said, Marcel Kittel was in a class of his own in the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia. He is in the form of his life, so maybe he just laughs at the hilly finale. In preparation to the Giro he did the Tour de Romandie. In stage 1, he survived a series of climbs to sprint to victory.

Arnaud Démare, winner in Milan-San Remo, is a sprinter who does not shy away from a tough finale, which makes him one of today’s top favourites. André Greipel is another fast man who should be strong enough to survive the hills in the last 20 kilometres.

Favourites 4th stage Giro d’Italia 2016:

*** Arnaud Démare, André Greipel, Matteo Trentin, Stefan Küng
** Diego Ulissi, Marcel Kittel, Caleb Ewan, Bob Jungels, Sonny Colbrelli
* Elia Viviani, Giacomo Nizzolo, Sacha Modolo