Cycling: It's the calm before the storm. On the 16th stage, the escapees will get their chance again. In our Velomotion forecast, we bet on Thomas de Gendt.
Velomotion prognosis: Nothing for the sprinters and class riders
After the second rest day, everything is on the line at the Giro d'Italia. But before the climbers and general classification contenders get their chance to shine in the final week, the breakaway riders will have another opportunity tomorrow. Stage 16 takes the professionals 229 kilometers from Udine to San Daniele del Friuli. The profile is undulating, but not too demanding. A mass sprint is unlikely thanks to the Monte di Ragogna (3 km at 9,0%), which will be tackled three times. The second-longest stage of this year's Giro d'Italia marks the finale of the grueling last week. With two mountain finishes to follow and a total of four consecutive stages exceeding 200 kilometers, the general classification contenders' teams will likely hold back tomorrow. This presents an opportunity for Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal). The Belgian has tried several times before, and tomorrow he will have his best chance.
☆☆☆ Thomas de Gendt (Lotto – Soudal)
* * Ilnur Zakarin (CCC), Diego Ulissi (UAE)
* Ben Swift (Ineos), Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R La Mondiale), Attila Valter (CCC)