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Stage 3: Rapallo – Sestri Levante 136 kms
Start time: 13:35, May 11th
Analysis:
First medium mountain stage, very short but very interesting as well. The peloton heads for the first time deep into the narrow and twisty Ligurian roads, with a very hilly first part and a flat finale. We start in Rapallo, on the coast, and climb la Ruta, uncategorized, and then head north through the GPM 3 Colle Caprile (11.8 kms at 3.8%). What follows is a sequence of ups and downs (more ups than downs) that end with the final climb of the day, the GPM 2 Barbagelata. This climb features pretty serious ramps, with 5.7 kms at 8.1%. From there on, only downhill. And it's not an easy one at all. In general, the Ligurian descents are all pretty narrow and technical, without too many hairpins but a lot of fast bends. Being fast and narrow, they're also dangerous, and since we started in Rapallo I'm sure you all remember how much.
After approximately 20 km of descent, the road flattens and goes on for 24 km to the finish in Sestri Levante, on easy and straight roads.
Expectations:
In short, a breakaway. Hopefully big. At the start the GC will be still undefined so any breakaway would go for both the stage and the pink... I expect a big battle to get into it and there's a good chance many teams will send people forward, so that they can avoid pulling the peloton later. It'll be very interesting to see who will take responsibility in the bunch. I do not think sprinters should bother, because I really don't see them making it to the end.
Of course, there's also the possibility the peloton agrees to a ridiculous breakaway of 2-3 men and then reels them in for a reduced sprint. But I prefer the former option.
Start time: 13:35, May 11th
Analysis:
First medium mountain stage, very short but very interesting as well. The peloton heads for the first time deep into the narrow and twisty Ligurian roads, with a very hilly first part and a flat finale. We start in Rapallo, on the coast, and climb la Ruta, uncategorized, and then head north through the GPM 3 Colle Caprile (11.8 kms at 3.8%). What follows is a sequence of ups and downs (more ups than downs) that end with the final climb of the day, the GPM 2 Barbagelata. This climb features pretty serious ramps, with 5.7 kms at 8.1%. From there on, only downhill. And it's not an easy one at all. In general, the Ligurian descents are all pretty narrow and technical, without too many hairpins but a lot of fast bends. Being fast and narrow, they're also dangerous, and since we started in Rapallo I'm sure you all remember how much.
After approximately 20 km of descent, the road flattens and goes on for 24 km to the finish in Sestri Levante, on easy and straight roads.
Expectations:
In short, a breakaway. Hopefully big. At the start the GC will be still undefined so any breakaway would go for both the stage and the pink... I expect a big battle to get into it and there's a good chance many teams will send people forward, so that they can avoid pulling the peloton later. It'll be very interesting to see who will take responsibility in the bunch. I do not think sprinters should bother, because I really don't see them making it to the end.
Of course, there's also the possibility the peloton agrees to a ridiculous breakaway of 2-3 men and then reels them in for a reduced sprint. But I prefer the former option.
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