The Giro d’Italia heads back inland on Thursday with a stage that looks simple on paper, but probably won’t feel that way in the peloton. Stage 12 from Imperia to Novi Ligure covers 175 km and sits awkwardly between a classic sprint day and an ambush for attackers. Plus, everybody is getting tired. And there’s still lots of big days left–but not Thursday.
Stage 12
There are no monster climbs on the route, (to the relief to probs most of the peloton.) But the steady drags of the Colle Giovo and Bric Berton could still tenderize some gams after almost two weeks of racing.
The bigger issue for the sprinters may be timing. By the second week of a Grand Tour, control becomes harder, breakaways get more freedom and teams start running short on domestiques. There have been several riders who have either crashed out or gotten ill. That changes things up as the guys make their way to Rome.
That leaves the door open for riders willing to gamble.
If it comes back together, Paul Magnier looks like the man to beat. The French rider has already won twice at this Giro and the rolling terrain suits him far better than the pure fast men. His speed in a word, frightening.
But the attackers will see opportunity here too. Filippo Ganna, fresh off his TT dub, has already hinted he wants another stage win. With a long flat run to the finish, it may take a powerhouse move to stay clear. Lidl-Trek’s Derek Gee-West had a solid TT as well, coming in fifth, now slotted eighth overall. It would be nice to see him climb the rankings more–but that ain’t happening today. The other Canadian racing,
Nickolas Zukowsky (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) had a fine chrono, finishing 20th. He’s also been super active in the breaks. Maybe again today?
But this stage has the ingredients for exactly some proper late-race chaos. By this point in a stage race, the same guys usually go for breaks–the GC men are settled in for their race, so the same few dozen will mark moves and see if they go ahead, as the sprinters wait for the finale.
You can check out Stage 12 on Flobikes.com, beginning at 6:55 a.m. EDT. There’s also the women’s Vuelta a Burgos Feminas earlier at 6:00 a.m. EDT. Just like the Giro, there are two Canucks racing: National champ Alison Jackson and Clara Emond. No worries if you can’t tune in, Canadian Cycling Magazine has you covered with reports for both.
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