The route of the 20th stage on the Giro d’Italia is very promising. The intermediate climbs are huge and the same goes for the double-barrelled final climb, which is perfect for long range attacks. Is Nibali finally going to put his money where his mouth is? He claims that he is only interested in winning the Giro, but his only offensive moves until now where on the Civiglio and the Mortirolo.
And what about Roglic? On the last section of the climb to San Martino di Castrozza he was active, which he has to multiply if he wants bring his GC ambitions back to life. Possibly, he has to gain at least 1 minute on Carapaz ahead of Sunday’s decisive ITT in Verona.
López was the only rider to force a proper gap on the penultimate mountain stage. The Colombian is never afraid to attack from distance. Possibly, he puts on the afterburners to try his luck and catapult himself back into podium contention.
Last edition showed the power and potential of an all-or-nothing attack. Chris Froome bounced back from a 3.22 minutes deficit and stormed into the overall lead with an 80 kilometres solo breakaway over the partly unpaved Colle delle Finestre to the steep Monte Jafferau.
The course offers plenty of leads for a similar attack. The race amounts to almost 200 kilometres and takes in intermediate climbs up the Cima Campo (18.7 kilometres at 5.9%), Passo Manghen (18.9 kilometres at 7.6%, peaking out to 15%) and Passo Rolle (20.6 kilometres at 4.7%). The last 20 kilometres feature the Passo Croce d’Aune (11.1 kilometres at 5.5%) and the final haul up Monte Avena (6.9 kilometres at 7.3%).
Favourites 20th stage 2019 Giro d’Italia
*** Mikel Landa, Miguel Ángel López, Primoz Roglic
** Richard Carapaz, Vincenzo Nibali
** Simon Yates, Mikel Nieve, Bauke Mollema, Giulio Ciccone
Check out the route of stage 20.
Giro d’Italia 2019 stage 20: profiles
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