Before heavy climbing again on Friday and Saturday, today the puncheurs get their last chance in this Giro d’Italia. The eighteenth stage is not too difficult on paper, but with about 10 kilometers to go there is still a solid wall waiting for the riders. Read everything you need to know about this ride here.
What time do they start and when is the finish?
The peloton, which still consists of 156 riders, will start at 1.15 pm from Fai della Paganella in Trentino. Between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM we will know who will be crowned the winner 171 kilometers later in the finish town of Pieve di Soligo.
What does the course look like?
Via hilly roads, the riders reach the first categorized climb of the day halfway through the stage. The climb to Fastro (third category) may be tough enough to throw a few sprinters overboard. And otherwise that will happen at the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio in the full finale. Only 1.1 kilometers long, but extremely steep at an average of 12.3 percent. After the top it is just over 10 kilometers to the finish.
How is Thymen Arensman doing?
Thymen Arensman has good credentials to stand on the final podium of a Grand Tour for the first time in his career on Sunday. The Dutchman is number 3 in the general classification, behind the unapproachable Jonas Vingegaard and Felix Gall. However, today it doesn’t seem to be a ride for the classification riders, who will save their strength for the tough rides on Friday and Saturday.
The score:
1. Jonas Vingegaard
2. Felix Gall at 4.03
3. Thymen Arensman at 4.27
4. Jai Hindley at 5.00
5. Afonso Eulalio at 5.40
Who are the favorites?
With the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio as the sharp judge in the final, the stage victory seems to be a prey for an explosive rider. Or for the best climber in a leading group who is given space by the peloton. Think of riders like Jhonatan Narváez, Diego Ulissi or Jasper Stuyven. And the Norwegian Andreas Leknessund will finally want to win after three second places.
Where is it on TV?
The Giro is broadcast on Eurosport. It can also be streamed on HBO Max. The stage can be seen from start to finish and can also be followed in its entirety in the live blog on this site.
View the stage schedule here
