Cycling: After the second and final rest day, the Giro d'Italia continues with another mountain stage. However, in our preview of stage 16 we assume that victory will not go to the top favorites.
Mountain stage after the rest day
It starts on Tuesday Tour of Italy into its third and therefore final and decisive week. One starts 206 km long mountain stage from Livigno to Santa Cristina Valgardena. Things are looking up for the professionals right from the start. He is the first executioner Umbrailpass (16,7 km with 7,2%) in the first third of the race. The breakaway group of the day will form here at the latest, and we might even see a dangerous GC rider in it. However, the major battle between the classification drivers will only take place in the last quarter of the race - if at all. Because the final is significantly less demanding. The Passo Pinei (23,3 km with 4,8%) and the Monte Pana (6,5 km with 6,3%) come directly one behind the other and therefore cover a lot of kilometers together, but really steep sections are rare.
Velomotion forecast: Victory goes to the breakaways
The 16th stage of Tour of Italy is perfect for a runaway coup. Also because the days afterwards will be difficult, the classification drivers could hold back again tomorrow. This opens the doors to all those teams that have not yet been able to win on the day - and there are a few. At the same time, the potential stage winner must also be a good climber and, ideally, a good puncher. We tap Valentin Paret Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), who has already won a section and will have to be sent on the offensive again by his team tomorrow. Because the Frenchman has shown that, as a lightweight, it is difficult to remove him from a breakaway group. And yesterday, Sunday, he impressed as a noble helper, but it would almost be negligent of his French team to give up this huge opportunity for another stage win. We may see another attack. Simon Geschke (Cofidis). And maybe oldies will dare too Dominic Pozzo alive (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) this time in the escape group.
* * * Valentin Paret Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
** Stephen Chaves (EF Education – EasyPost), Nicola Conci (Alpecin – Deceuninck)
* Dominic Pozzo alive (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè), Simon Geschke (Cofidis), Luke Plop (Jayco – AlUla)