There’s three days to go in the 2023 Giro d’Italia and there’s only half a minute between the top three. On Thursday, the riders will tackle Stage 18, a 161 km race from Oderzo to Val di Zoldo which has a series of tough climbs. After just 40 km the riders will hit the Passo della Crosetta, a 13.5 climb at 7 per cent average grade. An early break may be gone at this point and the big three will most likely be waiting until the finale to make their moves. Thomas with his strong squad will look to control the race and latch onto any attacks by Almeida.
Alberto Dainese’s winning watts were even more bonkers than you’d expect at the Giro
The peloton will be well aware of the last quarter of the race and be steeling itself for some fiesty racing. The Forcella Cibiana (9.7 km at 7.7 per cent) comes at 135 km, followed by the Coi (5.5 km at 9.5 per cent) which will wreck some legs before the summit finish at Palafavera (2.3 km at 7 per cent.)
Although many thought Roglič was the man to watch, it seems more and more the Portuguese cyclist from UAE Team Emirates may prove to be the biggest rival to Thomas at this point.
Thursday’s stage will definitely be important, but the next three days are going to be tough on the legs. Friday is another mountain day, followed by the time trial on Saturday before finishing in Rome on Sunday.
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