Giro d'Italia 2013, stage 18: Oderzo - Val Di Zoldo 161 km

[Red Rick]

Stage 18: Oderzo – Val Di Zoldo 161 km

Thursday, May 25th, 12:20 – 17:10 CEST

Technical Overview:

The final mountain block begins with a beautiful 4-star stage in the Dolimites, which funnily enough, with its 161 km, is the second shortest road stage of the race. From the town of Oderzo, the riders will immediately head into the mountains, with the first climb of the day coming after 28 km: Passo della Crosetta (GPM1, 11.6 km at 7.1%), a tough climb that will promote the formation of a strong breakaway. At the top the peloton will find a 16 km long false flat, before a short descent and another climb, Pieve d’Alpago (GPM4, 3.3 km at 5.5%), a very easy one. Its descent will bring everyone back to the Piave river, at which point the riders will have to go upstream for 32 km of false flat before hitting the next climb, the uncategorized Tai di Cadore (6.7 km at 4.6%). Shortly after the top, they will find the first intermediate sprint in Pieve di Cadore, just before turning south-west to get to the main dish of today, coming after 10 km more. The final combo begins with Forcella Cibiana (GPM1, 9.6 km at 7.8%), a mid-size climb with a pretty steep second half. It starts at 36 km to go and ends at 26, which means it is already in GC attack range. The descent is also quite tricky, and leads directly into the second intermediate sprint, Forno di Zoldo, and to the foot of the next climb, starting at 15 km to go. The climb to Coi (GPM2, 5.8 km at 9.7%) a secondary road parallel to Forcella Staulanza, is a new entry in the Giro and a very interesting one. It is a narrow road that gets steeper and steeper all the way to the top, which lies at 5.3 km to go. The descent is very short, only 2.1 km, but it does feature a few interesting curves and might give or take a few seconds between contenders. It connects with the main road of Staulanza at only 3.1 km from the finish line of Val di Zoldo (GPM2, 2.7 km at 6.4%), the same as in 2005.

The Climbs:

Passo della Crosetta: GPM1, 11.6 km at 7.1%

A tough climb with very regular slopes. It will assure a quality breakaway.

Pieve d’Alpago: GPM4, 3.3 km at 5.5%

Short and easy, nothing much to see here.


Forcella Cibiana: GPM1, 9.6 km at 7.8%

Ridden last time during the mythical stage of Gardeccia 2011 (but from the opposite side), this climb is short but has a very steep second half.

Coi: GPM2, 5.8 km at 9.7%

A new and very surprising climb, short but really steep. See below for the profile.



Val di Zoldo: GPM2, 2.7 km at 6.4%

Last time we had a finish here was 2005, and it was an awesome stage. This year the location is the same, but the approach will be completely different.

What to Expect:

Anything can happen from the start of Cibiana onward. However, this is only the first of three consecutive GC stages, so it is hard to predict how much energy the riders will want to spend here. I think there will be selection on Cibiana and attacks only on Coi. Moderate gaps between the favourites.

Forno di Zoldo

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Last 30-35 km are very difficult and normally I would say that this stage can produce substantial gaps. However, considering it's only the first of three decisive days I'm not sure. It can be spectacular or a complete dud.

 

[KOM]

Stomp! Hope dies last

 

[Valv.Piti]

Last 30-35 km are very difficult and normally I would say that this stage can produce substantial gaps. However, considering it's only the first of three decisive days I'm not sure. It can be spectacular or a complete dud.

Or in between. Its steep enough that something will happen no matter what this late into the race, I think.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Or in between. Its steep enough that something will happen no matter what this late into the race, I think.

It will almost 100% be somewhere in between, the question is where exactly on this scale. If Primoz feels better he will try, otherwise not sure.

 

[tobydawq]

I really don't get the name of the penultimate climb.

How can the name of a climb be "with the"?

 

[Mayomaniac]

I've posted this before, the short descent right into the Cibiana climb is tricky and with a steep ramp right at the start you could pay for it later on if you get caught behind. The Cibiana descent is a bit technical and the road is more narrow than on the ascent. Maybe Roglic should put in a small dig, just to see if Almeida and Thomas (who are both not exactly Nibali when the road goes downhill) are able to respond.
Oh well, I guess the place to actually try this seriously is be the Giau one day later...

 

[KZD]

Out of all of the third week stages, this is the one that suits Roglič the best. If he feels good, Jumbo should try to go for the stage win and maybe drop one of the others in the process (more likely Thomas than Almeida).

Otherwise a breakaway will arrive and Zana has a good shot if he enters it.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The whole Zoldano is know because tons of people who emigrated (and ended up all over the world) from there worked as ice cream makers, even back in the day when Austria-Hungary was still a thing.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The whole Zoldano is know because tons of people who emigrated (and ended up all over the world) from there worked as ice cream makers, even back in the day when Austria-Hungary was still a thing.

Was Riccò's family among them?

 

[Red Rick]

I like this stage design, although Passo Duran woudl connect even better to Coi-Val di Zoldo than Cibiana.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I like this stage design, although Passo Duran woudl connect even better to Coi-Val di Zoldo than Cibiana.

I still remember a great Zoldo Alto stage at the Giro 2005 (with Duran included). Basso single-handedly destroyed the peleton there but Savoldelli escaped on the descent, managed his uphill pace well and beat Basso in the sprint.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Does that also include Riccò's family?

Sorry to disappoint you, he's not from that area.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This is also the last good option to do anything on the descents. In addition to the little descent into Cibiana discussed by @Mayomaniac, the descent of Cibiana itself is reasonably technical and that of Coi, while short, is narrow and twisty. Roglic or Caruso may try something.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I like this stage design, although Passo Duran woudl connect even better to Coi-Val di Zoldo than Cibiana.

They could do Forcella Ciandolada/Rifugio Talamini instead of Cibiana, but that one is a Zomegnan style climb.
Would need to be repaved and the false flat on top of it is unpaved, but the descend is on a wider road and paved.
It's pretty much Col des Glières on steroids, with 30% ramps.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Sorry to disappoint you, he's not from that area.

Well his family could still have lived there a century ago.

It'll be interesting to see whether JV will try to keep the break in control again, or if they're more hesitant this time around. UAE might also be smelling blood. But the question is if anyone really wants to take risks before the Tre Cime stage.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I think Ineos and UAE will want a break to stay away while Jumbo should go for the stage win. They will probably finish together or Roglic a couple seconds ahead, preparing for the next two day onslaught.

 

[ashhutch1997]

I really like what they've done with the final climb, although it's a shame they don't come via the Passo Duran like in 2005. That was a brilliant stage with Basso ripping the race apart there..

 

[will-10]

I really like what they've done with the final climb, although it's a shame they don't come via the Passo Duran like in 2005. That was a brilliant stage with Basso ripping the race apart there..

Savoldelli flying away on the Duran descent was magnificent. That '05 Giro was an all-timer

 

[ashhutch1997]

Savoldelli flying away on the Duran descent was magnificent. That '05 Giro was an all-timer

Definitely the best Giro of the 2000's, amazing route as well.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

This is also the last good option to do anything on the descents. In addition to the little descent into Cibiana discussed by @Mayomaniac, the descent of Cibiana itself is reasonably technical and that of Coi, while short, is narrow and twisty. Roglic or Caruso may try something.

Nobody wants to try anything in thise descents!! The gc Riders have no grinta. They will look at their watt monitors in the final climbs and pace themselves to the finish..

Hopefully I am wrong. Man these guys have to try something. Caruso was already 2nd and is 35. Roglic is 33 and already podium. Almida will be a gregario very quick if he doesn't win a gt soon.

Every year there should be a 200km mountain stage with multiple big passes and a descent finish. Simple as that. Not this mickey mouse short climbs and uphill finish.

 

[Elos Anjos]

^ ZZZ.

 

[Sciatic]

^ ZZZ.

I get it: Turn them on their side and you’ll have the race profile.

 

[CyclistAbi]

It's week three and it's all about GC now. So i do expect some GC fighting on this stage. On who will take the most initiative. That will be interesting to see.

 

[Tonton]

As you all mentioned, it's "only" the first of three, and it also is the last chance to save energy before "the brutal duo" stages. I expect some sort of an uneasy calm between the big-3 before the Tre Cime storm. A breakaway will form with two or three riders in the 8th to 16th place in the GC. It will be up to teams defending a 4th-7th place to do the job. Like it or not, more often than not, they do.

Since the Sun revolves around Tibopino, that's his best chance to win a stage. Forget the GC and get that one. There are KOM points along the way, there's still a shot at the jersey.

Near the finish, Damiano has to take advantage of any complacency between JV and Ineos. The finish is such that attacks, even for seconds, can pay off.

Solid appetizer before "the brutal two", and the last chance for many before two days of Thomas, Roglic, and Almeida. I love the design.