The Croce d’Aune is a beautiful climb. Peaking at 1,015 metres, it certainly isn’t the longest climb in the world, yet it inspired Tullio Campagnolo in November 1927 to invent the rear derailleur that would revolutionize cycling. In freezing conditions he failed to remove the rear wheel of his bicycle during a race, which not only resulted in him losing the race, but also led him to develop the quick release skewer. Subsequently Campagnolo became one of the greatest legends in bicycle component invention and manufacture.
The final mountain stage of the 2019 Giro sets off in Feltre to take in intermediate climbs up the Cima Campo (18.7 kilometres at 5.9%), Passo Manghen (18.9 kilometres at 7.6%, peaking at 15%) and Passo Rolle (20.6 kilometres at 4.7%). The final part, composed of two consecutive climbs, amounts to nearly 20 kilometres. The haul up on the Croce d’Aune is 11.1 kilometres long, while its average slope sits at 5.5%. Which really is a biased number as the last 4.1 kilometres go up at 8.3%. This section features ramps up to 16%.
As said, the Passo Croce d’Aune peaks at 1,015 meters and the Giro uses an extra climb to 1,225 metres to pep up the final pink jersey fight. The route descends for 4 kilometres to bounces back to sharp uphill gradients over the last kilometres. The Monte Avena amounts to 6.9 kilometres ans slopes at 7.3%.
The first three riders on the line win time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the second intermediate sprint – at kilometre 112.5 – comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Another interesting read: results/race report 20th stage 2019 Giro d’Italia.
Giro d’Italia 2019 stage 20: routes, profiles, more
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