2016 Giro d'Italia - Stage 7 Sulmona – Foligno 211 km

[Jancouver]

Stage 7: Sulmona – Foligno 211 km

Stage start: 12.55 CET, 13 May

Technical Overview:
Transitional stage before the second weekend. The breakaway of the day will be formed on the first climb of the stage, Le Svolte di Popoli (9 km at 5.5%, GPM2), which comes after just 11 km from the start. The climb leads to a plateau featuring mainly false flats, along with the first intermediate sprint in L'Aquila. After the easy climb and descent of Sella di Como there are almost 70 km of flattish terrain, that finish with the second and final climb of the day, Valico della Somma (6.7 km at 4.9%, GPM4), which tops at 41 km to go. The first 11 going slightly downhill to the second intermediate sprint of Spoleto, and then the last 30 km totally flat. The finish is a bit tricky for a sprint stage, with 2 dangerous bends just across the red triangle mark.

The Climbs:

Le Svolte di Popoli GPM2
This climb should not be GPM2, to be honest. I guess the organizers want to make it worth more KOM points in order to provide an incentive for the breakaway... No official profile for this climb, but we have Cyclingcols.com

Valico della Somma GPM4
This climb has been used the last time the Giro went to Foligno, in 2014. It is really nothing special. In fact, the organizers do not provide a profile for this one as well. But we have Salite.ch

What to expect:
This is good for a breakaway, but it depends on how ambitious are the sprinter teams. Even pure sprinters could survive a slow pace on the last climb, so if the peloton keeps the breakaway in check, this should come down to a bunch sprint.

 

[Laplaz]

Andre Greipel for me without many doubts.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Re:

Andre Greipel for me without many doubts.

He was given safe passage two stages ago, but I don't think Lotto has the team to give Greipel the leg-up to make it easy. Not like Etixx. So while I can't imagine any individual out sprinting him, I can see the field denying him a chance to win.

Even if I had money, I would not be betting on this stage.

 

[Sasquatch]

The only sure thing about this stage is Cunego/Pirazzi battling for KOM points on the first climb.

 

[Samamba]

The only sure thing about this stage is Cunego/Pirazzi battling for KOM points on the first climb.

Maybe Wellens will be in the mix too, he's only one point behind Cunego so if he wants to wear the blue jersey after tomorrows stage...

 

[Red Rick]

1. Greipel
2. Greipel
3. I dunno, maybe Greipel?

Lotto Belisol will surely want to push it somewhat at the final climb to at least murder Kittel uphill

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Serov ftw.



There are far too many corners in that finale for Greipel.

 

[Jancouver]

Sasha Modolo FTW

 

[Jspear]

Kittel to show he can climb better than 2014 and take the stage win.

 

[uconnryan]

Looks like it will be wet and windy, and with those tricky bends near the finish it's not one for Greipel. Suspect Kittel will struggle again. Modolo to take it.

 

[Jspear]

If Kittel and Greipel are both missing in the final then Nizzolo will take it.

 

[Robert5091]

"2 dangerous bends just across the red triangle mark" "Looks like it will be wet and windy" - I'll put my half a bob on the break making it.

 

[Tank Engine]

Go Adam Hansen. If it ends in a sprint, the Gorills vs Demare.

 

[observer]

Beautiful part of Italy. The race passes through my Dads home town. Popoli.

 

[Orbit501]

The only sure thing about this stage is Cunego/Pirazzi battling for KOM points on the first climb.

Maybe Wellens will be in the mix too, he's only one point behind Cunego so if he wants to wear the blue jersey after tomorrows stage...

I'd hope Boem might fancy a go at more KoM points today too whilst stage hunting.

 

[Nirvana]

I don't think the break will survive, this is the penultimate chance for sprinters (in Bibione Kittel will win easily so no contest and Asolo final kms are too hard for a bunch sprint), assuming that the stage to Cassano d'Adda after Dolomites could be hard to control this could also be last chance.

 

[Kwibus]

The only sure thing about this stage is Cunego/Pirazzi battling for KOM points on the first climb.

Maybe Wellens will be in the mix too, he's only one point behind Cunego so if he wants to wear the blue jersey after tomorrows stage...

He said he was more interested in trying to win another stage then go for KOM points.

 

[King Boonen]

I predict a big peloton at the end and carnage, that finish looks bloody stupid.

 

[ILovecycling]

I want L'aquila

 

[classicomano]

Tim Wellens: Of all the favorites, id like the most to see Dumoulin win. And if we can do something to help in return after yesterday, we won hesitate to do so.

 

[Robert5091]

Forecast says showers and thunder - Oooh!

 

[Squire]

Re:

Tim Wellens: Of all the favorites, id like the most to see Dumoulin win. And if we can do something to help in return after yesterday, we won hesitate to do so.

Will he now get awkward looks from Monfort in the team bus?

 

[Valv.Piti]

If Greipel beats Demare, Im okay with any outcome and a complete snoozefest. Gotta make those money.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Tim Wellens: Of all the favorites, id like the most to see Dumoulin win. And if we can do something to help in return after yesterday, we won hesitate to do so.

Will he now get awkward looks from Monfort in the team bus?

Reminds me of Antón helping Contador going flat out on Mortirolo when he had Amador down/a little up the road. I had fired him immediately.

 

[murali]

This looks like a typical giro sprint with 3 crashes. the lucky survivor wins today.