Catching up on all my cycling news for the day. What a day for Ganna
Here is a good write up from cycling stages. Looks like a breakway day? GC should stay roughly the same. The last 6 km is kind of rolling. From km 3 to km 2 remaining there is steep enough climbing that it should break into single sprinters, but no major leadouts. It looks decent for the likes of Sagan and Matthews.
GIRO 2020 ROUTE STAGE 6: CASTROVILLARI - MATERA
Most climbing is clustered in the first half of the race. Almost from the gun the route goes uphill, which is likely to serve as a launch pad for the breakaway. The gradients are relatively shallow, so all types of riders could be in the mix.
After 20 kilometres the riders reach the highest point before a long descent leads onto the next climb. The length is approximately 13 kilometres and the gradients are – again – doable at around 4%. Another descent leads onto a flat intermediate phase.
The steepest climb of the day appears with roughly 30 kilometres remaining. The 6 kilometres ascent slopes at 6% before a gradual downhill ushers in the last 10 kilometres of the race. Which runs predominantly false flat uphill.
The 2013 Giro d’Italia served a finish in Matera after a flat stage. John Degenkolb took the spoils in a crash marked sprint finale.
Matera is a fascinating place. It has been inhabited from Paleolithic times to this day and it is extremely photogenic. Dozens of movies have been short here, including the new James Bond: No time to die.
Two intermediate sprints – at kilometre 62.1 and 135.1 – come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds each, while the first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds.