Giro d'Italia 2018 stage 15: Tolmezzo – Sappada 176 km

[Red Rick]

Is it still not up?

STAGE 15: Tolmezzo – Sappada 176 km

May 20th

Technical Overview:
The Giro hits the Dolomites with a very nice stage at low altitude (it could probably be classified as medium mountain...). Starting from Tolmezzo, the peloton will begin climbing straight away, first with an ascending false flat and then with the proper first climb of the day, Passo della Mauria (GPM3, 8.8 km at 4.4%), whose official numbers only include the last, steady section, which is preceded by some slightly harder but irregular ramps. After a long descent with a very twisty first part, the route goes along a long false flat in the Cadore Valley, all the way to the end of it, the famous town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, where the second climb of the day starts. Passo Tre Croci (GPM2, 7.9 km at 7.3%), very steady and consistent, is a classic of the Giro, mostly known for being the lead-up to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The riders however are not headed there. In fact, after the top the will turn back east, and enter the other end of the Cadore Valley, this time descending until Auronzo, where the final sequence of climbs start. The first one is Passo di Sant'Antonio (GPM2, 8.3 km at 7.5%), a steep, short climb with a central section of 6 km at 9.5%. Its tricky descent will lead the pack directly to another climb, Costalissolo (GPM2, 3.8 km at 8.8%), with the initial 2.5 km at 10.6% before an easier final drag. After another interesting descent, the riders will only need to reach Sappada, after an 8.5 km drag which somehow is not categorized, but has a central ramp of 2.5 km at 6.5%, before a flattish final 2.5 km.

Final km

The Climbs:
Passo della Mauria (GPM3, 8.8 km at 4.4%)
Very easy and constant.

Passo Tre Croci (GPM2, 7.9 km at 7.3%)
A classic climb of the Giro, fairly steep and very consistent, but quite short.

Passo di Sant'Antonio (GPM2, 8.3 km at 7.5%)
Possibly the key point of the stage, with an excellent central section of 6 km at 9.5%, surrounded by short false flat sections.

Costalissolo (GPM2, 3.8 km at 8.8%)
Nice short wall, that starts very steep at the beginning and gets easier at the top.

What to Expect:
Very good design, just before a rest day... Even a solo attack can potentially work on the Sant'Antonio. Any point in the last 40 km can go, with or without help from the team. Most of this depends on the GC situation, as always. But let's be confident. This is by far the best stage for far out attacks, on paper.

Sappada

 

[Netserk]

Furious first 50km, strong break to get away. Froome will test everyone on Sant'Antonio. At least one in the top-6 will lose significant time.

 

[May0maniac]

Death and destruction durning the final 40km, Aru will loose 25min or pull a Morzine, both things could happen.
The race will probably explode on the Passo di San Antonio, of of the favourites could loose big time and loose the whole Giro on this stage.

 

[DanielSong39]

Ambush is very possible here.

I think Simon Yates grabs the race by the throat!

 

[DNP-Old]

After todays carnage, this stage could be the death of some. It shouldn't be underrated. Going early is also very much a possibility here.

 

[Tarnum]

Pozzovivo and/or Lopez the only one(s) to attack from a distance. The rest of the GC contenders will keep their powder dry for the last climb.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

Ambush is very possible here.

I think Simon Yates grabs the race by the throat!

Very. Teams are very important to defend the Ambush.

 

[Netserk]

A great shame that there isn't coverage from the very beginning of the stage. Nearly an hour in before we get live images.

 

[Escarabajo]

Look for Betancur, Henao, Formolo, Nieve, Oomen and other good climbers to be in the break.

 

[EroicaStradeBianche]

watch out for the instants here

 

[fauniera]

Ciccone. I know i said that before but this time it will be true. Just has to.

 

[classicomano]

Astana to go crazy from the start.

 

[skippo12]

Sprinters will be in trouble. Whoever gets dropped early will be fighting to stay inside the time limit. Especially if a GC-contender decides to make the race hard or tries an early attack.
Yates vs Dumoulin at the front, Bennett vs Viviani vs time limit at the back.

 

[tobydawq]

Sprinters will be in trouble. Whoever gets dropped early will be fighting to stay inside the time limit. Especially if a GC-contender decides to make the race hard or tries an early attack.
Yates vs Dumoulin at the front, Bennett vs Viviani vs time limit at the back.

I really don't think Bennett will be in trouble.

I know he finished last today but he was making wheelies when he was dropped from the peloton so he was hardly on the limit and until now he has been climbing excellently.

 

[spiritualride]

How does Simon Yates descending compare to TD's?

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Astana to go crazy from the start.

Subscribed.

 

[Red Rick]

Paging Gigs to stay away from electronics that might display Giro d'Italia.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

Paging Gigs to stay away from electronics that might display Giro d'Italia.

 

[sir fly]

The stage has potential. Would be a shame not to exploit it.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Short punchy climbs in the final must suit Yates even more than Zoncolan. Giro could be decided if he still has a good day

 

[Escarabajo]

After today's effort tomorrows stage could create large gaps.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Froome will surely attack, so we're guaranteed to have GC action on terrain that will certainly facilitate it

 

[movingtarget]

Good stage for Astana and Sky you would think to try and break up the race. Luckily for many the TT is not the day after. Very nice stage on paper.

 

[vedrafjord]

God I love the Giro. Anything could happen.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Read somewhere that Simon Yates expects bigger gaps tomorrow than there were today