Giro 2024 Favourites stage 8: Mountain race for attackers

foto: Cor VosThe first proper mountain stage of the Giro serves up an elevation gain of 3,850 metres over a course of 152 kilometres. Since we are in the first week of action, it's not unlikley that we'll see the breakaway battle it out for the win. (Slideshow route/profile)

The route is tailor-made for pure climbers. The riders climb from the start on the Forcia di Cerro (8.2 kilometres at 4.2%, not classified) before the roads keep going either up or down for the rest of the day. There are a number of intimidating giants to be conquered – Forca di Capistrello (16.3 kilometres at 5.6%), Croce Abbio (8.1 kilometres at 4.7%), and the finishing climb, Prati di Tivo (14.6 kilometres at 5.7%).

Odds are that we’ll see a fired-up battle for the breakaway from the gun. And eventually, a strong group of climbers is expected to go clear. Which means that it will be hard to control the break on such demanding terrain, if teams with pink ambitions want to control the break to begin with. Chances are that Pogacar et al agree with a breakaway artist riding to victory.

Favourites 8th stage 2024 Giro d’Italia

*** Mauri Vansevenant, Nairo Quintana, Giulio Pellizzari
** Damiano Caruso, Esteban Chaves, Attila Valter, Gijs Leemreize
* Tadej Pogacar, Kevin Vermaerke, Andrea Piccolo, Will Barta, Vadim Pronskiy

Another interesting read: route 8th stage 2024 Giro.