The key to the 18th stage is in the last 15 kilometers

The 18th stage of the Giro de Montaña will be the first of three consecutive efforts in which the three favourites, the ‘pink jersey’ Geraint Thomas, the second classified in 18″ the Portuguese Joao Pedro Almeida and the third in 29″ and targeted from the start as the great favorite the slovenian Primoz Roglic had to play for the final victory.

This is a (short, 161 kms) but steep (3,700 meters positive elevation gain) mountain stage through the Dolomites where, after a very short approach, you enter Cansiglio via the Passo della Crosetta (11 km and a 7 %). Next, a difficult section of descent and ascent with many curves will take them into the Piave valley, climbing to Pieve di Cadore. The race enters the Boite valley to climb the Forcella Cibiana (9.6km at 8%) and then enters the Val di Zoldo for the final climb.

The key is the last 15 kilometers

The key to the stage is in the final 15 km in Val di Zoldo with a two-mountain Grand Prix suitable for Irishman Healy to continue adding points for the Azzurro jersey. The first one for Coi climbs about 5 km from the finish line and has uphill slopes of about 20% and a slightly narrow road with pavement in good condition. After a short descent, they enter the final 3km around a 6% gradient, with a sequence of 8 hairpin bends leading to the finish straight (300m long, 7m wide).

The next day, it’s even worse with a grueling route to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the roof of its 106th edition at 2,304 m. And all this before facing the individual time trial on Saturday, the final justice of the peace, on the magnificent slopes (7.3 km at 12.1%) of Monte Lussari, on the eve of arriving in Rome.