Giro d'Italia 2020, stage 6: Castrovillari – Matera 188 km

[Red Rick]

Aaand on we go. It's Sagan time

Stage 6: Castrovillari – Matera 188 km
Thursday, October 8th, 11:40 CEST

Technical Overview:
Here comes a medium mountain stage with an interesting finale. The stage is hard since the very beginning: from the starting line in Castrovillari the riders will immediately begin climbing towards the first (uncategorized) climb of the day, measuring around 11 km at 4.5%. At the top there is a short plateau and then a fast descent, leading to yet another climb (up to now, the riders will have seen very little flat since the beginning of the race). This second climb is longer but somewhat easier than the first. Just like the first however, it is uncategorized: 15 km at 3.8%. After its descent, which includes a short ramp to the first intermediate sprint in S.Severino Lucano, the peloton will finally hit a long flat section that will last for about 80 km. This also contains the second intermediate sprint, Craco–Peschiera. At 31 km to go the flat ends and the only categorized climb of the day begins. Millotta (GPM3, 4.7km at 6.8%) is an average climb but relatively close to the finish so the riders will have to pay attention here. It tops at 26 km to go, 8 of which are a descent. At the bottom there are only 7 km of flat before the road starts ascending again towards the finishing town of Matera, famous for its houses carved into the rock where people have been living since the Paleolythic. Until 4 km to go the slopes will be very gentle. Then, after a short descending false flat there will be a 750m ramp at 6.3%, which ends at 2 km to go. From there on it’s only false flat left, first descending and then ascending again.

The Climbs:
Millotta: GPM3, 4.7km at 6.8%
A weirdly hard climb on a three-lane road. No official profile.

What to expect:
Maybe a breakaway, otherwise the attackers will have a golden opportunity to attack from the peloton, either on the climb of Millotta or, more likely, directly on the final ramp at 2 km to go. The finale will be very nervous, and some GC guy might get caught napping and lose time in a split if they are not careful.

I Sassi di Matera

 

[Amazinmets87]

Matthews

 

[Devil's Elbow]

If Bora can make sure they drop Démare and reel in the likely Ulissi attack on the final bump, Sagan only has Matthews to worry about... and based on the race so far, that's not a big worry.

 

[Keram]

There are lot of ways Sagan can lose it but please please please Sagan dont lose this.

 

[Gigs_98]

1. ???
2. Sagan
3. ???

 

[Velolover2]

Unlike stage 4, this is a puncheur stage. Sagan to find a new undetected way to get 2nd somehow.

Demare should be dropped on Millotta but can come back if Bora/Sunweb really are slacking it.

 

[fuiers]

Break will take it. And no. He's not Ganna take this one as well.

 

[fuiers]

Matthews

Bling really has been a bit quiet so far.

 

[tobydawq]

COME ON SAGAN FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!!!!

 

[Escarabajo]

Ulissi / Mathews / Sagan

Take a pick.

 

[Velolover2]

Vendrame should love this final.

He is so light-weight that Millotta shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Nirvana]

Break will take it. And no. He's not Ganna take this one as well.

On Eurosport Sky's DS Cioni said that yesterday they were studying this stage finale with Ganna.

 

[WKA311]

Battaglin with his usual random Giro stage only to disappear for another 2-3 years until his next one.

 

[Leinster]

1. ???
2. Sagan
3. ???

Profit.

 

[gregrowlerson]

I was going to say a boring stage, but this opening looks interesting enough to create a strong breakaway.

 

[movingtarget]

Good one for Sagan. Matthews seems to be out of sorts. I thought his ride at the Worlds was good but he hasn't looked good this week.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

how time flys..

https://twitter.com/x/status/1314052126365020161

View: https://twitter.com/grahamwatson10/status/1314052126365020161

 

[Laplaz]

Seter Pagan.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Majka praying for Sagan to be in the break.

 

[Breh]

Good one for Sagan. Matthews seems to be out of sorts. I thought his ride at the Worlds was good but he hasn't looked good this week.

Well, bunch sprints have never been his forte. And on stage2 he won the sprint for 4th which is what he usually does, winning sprints just behind the head of the race.

 

[MrTea1976]

Michleton Scott to make a move here.

 

[Jagartrott]

The last 3 km has a lot of twists and turns, so I can imagine several punchy riders trying to get away on that final ramp, hoping that the chase behind will be disorganised. Sagan would do well do follow guys like Ulissi or Battaglin there.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Ulissi / Mathews / Sagan

Take a pick.

Ballerini (as long as he doesn't have to do too much work for the maglia rosa)

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Vendrame looks like he could be an outsider for the win today. My guess is Sagan beats all the usual competitors, only to forget about Vendrame.

 

[DanielSong39]

Break wins?
(But maybe Sagan is in it)