Giro 2021 Favourites stage 12: Attrition race with downhill finale

The route of the 12th stage is similar to the last editions of the Tour of Lombardy. A lot of climbing before a downhill finale. (Slideshow route/profile)

The route takes in a vertical gain of 3,700 metres. Most of it is served in the second half of the stage, although the first half is far from flat either. The race is a war of attrition. Since the finale is not extremely demanding, one could argue that the GC riders will keep their powder dry, paving the way for the breakaway to be successful.

Featuring a lot of small climbs, the first phase of the race is perfect for the breakaway artists to roll out an intense fight. From kilometre 80 onward the bigger ascents appear. Via the Monte Morello (7.6 kilometres at 6.6%), Passo della Consuma (17.1 kilometres at 5.7%) and Passo della Calla (15.3 kilometres at 5.3%) the riders enter a long descent to the foot of the last climb. The Passo del Carnaio is an irregular toil of 10.8 kilometres long with sections at 14% but short descents as well. The average gradient sits at 5.1%.

Good descenders can put their talents to good use in a 6 kilometres downhill before the last 3 kilometres are a false flat drag to the line.

Favourites 12th stage 2021 Giro d’Italia

*** Bauke Mollema, George Bennett, Koen Bouwman, Ruben Guerreiro
** Thomas de Gendt, Pello Bilbao, Nicolas Roche, Geoffrey Bouchard
* Davide Formolo, Felix Großschartner, Michael Storer, Matteo Fabbro

Another interesting read: route stage 12 Giro d’Italia 2021.