Cycling: The 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia is flat - at least until the last quarter of the race. Then there are two small mountains. Are these too difficult for Peter Sagan and Arnaud Démare?
Peter Sagan must seize this opportunity
Tomorrow the preliminary decision will be made in the points classification of the Giro d'Italia? If we look at the route profile, that could well be the case. Because a really flat start is followed by two climbs in the last quarter of the race. Actually, this stage would be perfect for a breakaway with a strong puncher. But due to the points classification, the German team could make another attempt with Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) valuable points on competitor Arnaud Demare (Groupama – FDJ) to catch up. The French champions currently have a lead of 36 points.
Velomotion forecast: Bora – hansgrohe against Arnaud Démare
So the Slovak and his team have to come up with something. And that's exactly what the 13th stage is perfect for. It runs over 192 kilometers from Cervia to Monselice. Only at the end do you have to master two climbs in Roccolo (4,3 km at 7,8%) and in Calaone (2,0 km at 9,9%). Bora – hansgrohe can be trusted to keep the breakaway group under control and not let them go far. And Peter Sagan it is to be trusted that he will not let himself be left behind on the two climbs - in contrast to Arnaud Demare. Since there is still 16 kilometers to go to the finish, a sprint of a severely decimated peloton is possible. This would make the fight for the Maglia Ciclamino even more exciting...
☆☆☆ Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe)
* * Andrea Vendrame (AG2R La Mondiale), Fabio Felline (Astana)
* Diego Ulissi (UAE), Jhonatan Restrepo (Androni Giocattoli - Sidermec), Enrico Battaglin (Bahrain - McLaren)