The GC favourites have been suspiciously quiet during the opening week of the Giro d’Italia. That changes today.
A double ascent of the fearsome Blockhaus, including the tougher side of the climb on the grind to the finish, will inject some much-needed spice into the battle for pink on the race’s first five-star stage. And with a rest day to follow on Monday, there is no reason for the race not to explode into life.
Maxing out at 14%, with an average gradient of over 8% from top to bottom, the Blockhaus will leave riders wanting to “to strap a rocket onto their bums”. According to Eurosport cycling expert Adam Blythe, anyway.
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“That is the stuff nightmares are made of when you’re a non-climber,” continues Robbie McEwen, with no time for rest on Sunday as the race immediately goes uphill from the start in Isernia.
Blythe adds: “It’s one of the hardest climbs of the Giro and I expect that the general classification battle will finally begin!”
We can’t wait…
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