In recent years Arezzo featured prominently in the Tirreno-Adriatico with a steep 900 metres closing climb leading into medieval Arezzo. Most likely it will be a combination of the Alpe di Poti and the closing kilometre that will mark the finale of stage 8 in the Giro d’Italia.
At 10 kilometres, the Alpe di Poti is something special as it features 6.4 kilometres on dirt roads. The toughest part is the stretch from kilometre 1.5 to kilometre 5, which rises at an average grade of 9.1% and contains the steepest sector at 14%. At the top there are 18.4 kilometres left to race.
A fast drop via Foce dello Scopetone cuts across the city centre of Arezzo. The final kilometre opens with a steep 200 metres climb, and double digit gradients, that takes the riders to the home straight. The average grade of the last kilometre is 5%.
Overall stage 8 is fairly flat. A small warm-up for the climbers legs is in place after leaving the Tiber River with the regular cimb up to the village Scheggia. The top is crested with 120 kilometers done. After this it’s back to flat to undulating roads again before the Alpe de Ponti and a spectacular finale looms…
The last time the Giro d’Italia visited Arezzo was in 2003 with Mario Cipollini outsprinting the pack.
The ancient town dates back to Etruscan times and the Romans were in charge as of 311 BC. On the last Sunday of June and the first Sunday of September, residents celebrate Giostra dei Saraceni – Saracan Joust – and dress up in medieval clothes.
At the line, time bonuses at 10, 6 and 4 seconds lay waiting, while intermediate sprints come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds each.
Race results/race report stage 8, Giro d’Italia 2016.
Giro 2016 stage 8: Route maps, height profiles, etc.
Click on the images to zoom
Hello, me again !
I was wondering what the grey shading meant on l’Alpe di Poti. Looking on Google Earth, it seems to be a rough surface just before the road heads down to San Severo. That’s going to spoil the day for some !
Regards
Joe