Cycling: The Route of the 101st Giro d'Italia especially favors climbers. But between the high mountain stages we also find numerous sections for the sprinters. Although Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin), André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) are not at the start, we expect some hot duels in the final meters. Who will be the successor to last year's Dominator Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors)?
https://www.velomotion.de/2018/04/radsport-giro-ditalia-2018-etappen/
Elia Viviani: With both feet and a lot of momentum in the big footsteps
Team Quick-Step Floors won 16 stages at Grand Tours last year - more than five per tour! Those footsteps are huge, especially for sprinters Elijah Viviani. Last year, Fernando Gaviria, Marcel Kittel and Matteo Trentin achieved series victories in the mass sprints. Now Elia Viviani should take over the victory. He's done that a number of times this season. The 29-year-old has already won five races and the overall ranking of the Dubai Tour. It is quite possible that he will now also sprint from success to success in the Tour of Italy. Only in 2015 was he able to celebrate a stage win at the Giro d'Italia. 2018 will definitely add some wins.
Stage wins at the Giro d'Italia: 1
Velomotion Forecast: Elia Viviani is by far the strongest sprinter in the Giro d'Italia squad. The Italian has a top team at his side and is very experienced himself. If everything goes according to plan, Viviani will have at least three stage wins.
Sam Bennett: Better to win 1x than 4x top 3
Stands for the second time Sam Bennett at the Giro d'Italia at the start. The Irishman must have learned a lot from last year, as he managed to climb onto the podium four times. However, he was unable to win due to the superiority of Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors). Now the professional is faced with another blue and white sprinter. It is precisely this fact that Bennett could use to his advantage. Anyone who can claim Viviani's rear wheel has the best chance of winning a stage. With his experience, the 27-year-old may be better able to assert himself in this battle for positions than the weaker and less experienced competitors. Furthermore, Bennett can be sure of the support of his comrades. In the Bora-hansgrohe team, the main focus will be on chasing the stages, and in Rüdiger Selig he has an experienced driver at his side.
Stage wins at the Giro d'Italia: 0
Velomotion Forecast: Sam Bennett was on the podium four times last year - but still a long way from a win. He could have better chances this year as he is good over easy hills and could possibly get rid of Elia Viviani in the process. In a flat sprint against the Italian he has to have the perfect timing and his rear wheel - then this time he can also win a stage.
Sacha Modolo: The lightweight among the sprinters
Sprinters are actually built rather heavy and beefy. In the world of top sprinters, however, there are some exceptions. One of them is Sacha Modolo by the EF Education team. Despite his height of 1,80 m, the Italian weighs less than 70 kg. Nevertheless, the now 30-year-old has proven several times in his career that he is one of the fastest men in a bunch sprint. In 2015 he won two stages at the Giro d'Italia. It should also work with a win this season. In doing so, he will have to focus on the rear wheel of an opponent, because his team will not be strong enough in the sprints to be able to serve him victory on a silver platter. However, this is not a problem for Modolo, because the Italian – like Robbie McEwan in the past or currently Peter Sagan – prefers to shimmy from rear wheel to rear wheel.
Stage wins at the Giro d'Italia: 2
Velomotion Forecast: Due to his rather low weight, Sacha Modolo gets over the hills relatively well. He's also a prime candidate for victory when there's a slight uphill finish and the course is technical. Therefore, the Italian can certainly provide one or the other surprise coup. Because although he certainly lacks top speed compared to Viviani, he can iron out this lack with his experience.
Danny Van Poppel: The breakthrough should come at the Giro d'Italia
New colors, new luck: Danny Van Poppel traded in his jersey after two years with Team Sky. Instead of black or white, the Dutchman is now in yellow. In the LottoNL-Jumbo team, he forms a strong sprinter duo with compatriot Dylan Groenewegen. However, they rarely compete together, because both top sprinters ultimately claim the role of captain. While Dylan Groenewegen will take part in the Tour de France, Danny Van Poppel can concentrate on the Giro d'Italia. Although he has already won a stage at the Vuelta a Espana, the final breakthrough is now to come in Italy. The 24-year-old has already proven that it fits by winning the Tour of Valencia this year.
Stage wins at the Giro d'Italia: 0
Velomotion Forecast: It's now! Danny Van Poppel - like his brother Boy Van Poppel - has been considered a top talent in the sprint for years. So far, however, he has been denied the big breakthrough, which was also due to his former team Sky. Now he enjoys unknown freedoms. He will use this with at least one stage win!
Jakub Mareczko: Just a matter of time
Rarely seen on a Grand Tour so far Jakub Mareczko. The Italian drives for the second-class team Willier Triestina-Selle Italia and enjoys the status of captain there. With eight victories in 2018, he is the most successful stage hunter at the Giro d'Italia. He proved that he can compete with top sprinters on the Sharjah Tour, where he twice left Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept) behind. He collected the other victories on the Morocco Tour against less well-known competitors. Nevertheless, Mareczko is to be taken seriously. The Polish-born, 24-year-old finished second twice last year to Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) - and he's absent this season. So it seems only a matter of time before Mareczko gets to celebrate the Giro d'Italia and is signed by a WorldTour team.
Stage wins at the Giro d'Italia: 0
Velomotion Forecast: Jakub Mareczko is certainly the least known person among the top sprinters at the Giro d'Italia. Nevertheless, he should not be underestimated. The form is right and his team will be at his service during the mass arrivals. In the absence of world-class competition, a stage win is not unlikely.
