Race Design Thread

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 12: Udine - Belluno, 175 km

One of the last stages in this Giro that could be suitable for a mass sprint. The stage starts in Udine, the second largest city of Friuli. From here they ride west, cross the Tagliamento river and start the toughest climb of the stage just after the river crossing. After descending they could head into more hilly and mountainous terrain, but stay in the lower lying valleys, but climb the cat 3 to Passo San Osvaldo and descend into the Piave valley for a easy last part to Belluno. They go past Belluno and loop back into the city on the south side of the Piave river, for a flat and uncomplicated finish of the stage. The stage should be fairly easy to control for the sprinter's teams, but it could also end in a breakway win since it's crammed between two much tougher stages and therefore many teams would like to save energy for the next day.

Climbs:
50 km: Vito d'Asio: 7 km, 5,5 %
113 km: Passo San Osvaldo: 2,5 km, 6,6 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia, Stage 13: Cortina d'Ampezzo - Alpe di Siusi, 198 km

First big mountain stage in the Alps or Dolomites and incorporates a design with two objectives. First I think that a Giro should have a couple of stages with a big MTF, and then rather a longer climb like Bondone, Grappa or Siusi than these 8-10 km, 9-10 % climbs that have been popular the later years. Siusi have been used a couple of times, but as a MTT and the only MTF in a road race were via the more underwhelming approach from Prato all'Isarco. In addition there is a couple of climbs in the Dolomites I think should be more frequently used, both Furcia and especially the extremely scenic Passo delle Erbe. This stage includes both these and a big MTF to Alpe d'Siusi to create really big mountain stage.

The start is in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the biggest town and most important resort in the Dolomites. Usually when starting in Cortina, one would expect the riders would head west over Falzarego or Giau, but they instead head west over Tre Croci and are on their way out of the Dolomites. But instead of continuing east into Friuli, they north north and successively climb Sant'Antonio and Monte Croce which is reached after about 59 km. This is followed by the easiest section of the stage, first a descent and then an about 30 km flat section through Sextental. Passing the ski resort of Toblach, they continue through Pustertal before reaching the exit to Passo Furcia. Although rather centrally placed and could serve as a connection between Pustertal and Val Badia, it is rarely used. Last two times was from the west and in conjunction with a MTT to Kronplatz.

Now it leads into the tougher and higher climb of Passo delle Erbe and is the starting point for the real tough part of the stage. After starting the climb to Furcia, there are barely any flat sections. From the desent of Furcia, they just pass through the hamlet of Longenga and directly start the two-step climb to Passo delle Erbe. An extremely scenic climb and close to other big climbs and possible finish locations, it's almost strange it hasn't been used in the Giro since 2005. Both sections of the climb are tough, first 4 kms at 9-11 %, followed by a short descent and a couple of easier kms and then another 5 kms of 9-11 % to the top. The descent on the other side is longer and less steep and leads directly into the next climb, Lajon, another 6 km at over 10 %.

From Lajon they descend to Val Gardena, where you could have several options for climbing. Either continuing up to Ortisei or even over Passo Gardena, to climb to Passo di Pinei, descend to Castelrotto and then climb the last part to Alpe di Siusi, or as this stage to; descend all the way to Ponte Gardena and then climb the 16 km long and consecutive climb to the stage finish in Compatsch, Alpe di Siusi. A brutal climb, especially after doing Furcia and the steep Erbe and Lajon climbs. An early attack on Siusi could wreck havoc and great some massive gaps on GC riders that are tired already early on the finish climb.

Climbs:
8 km: Passo Tre Croci: 8,2 km, 7,1 %
44 km: Passo di Sant'Antonio: 5,3 km, 8,2 %
59 km: Passo Monte Croce: 9,3 km, 4,5 %
107 km: Passo di Furcia: 11,1 km, 6,8 %
134 km: Passo delle Erbe: 14,3 km, 6,7 %
166 km: Lajon: 6,1 km, 10,2 %
198 km: Alpe di Siusi: 16,6 km, 8,2 %


Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 14: Bolzano - Trento, 172 km

Very probably the most typical breakway stage of this Giro. Two cat 1 climbs makes it a fairly tough stage, and a suitable option for good climbs that are not in the GC race. After the start in Bolzano, the riders head south on the western side of Eschtal. At Auer they cross the valley and start the climb to San Lugano. From the top of that climb, they descent towards the Val di Fiemme and the ski resort most known for cross country skiing. Just before they reach the village they turn and go back west and back down to Eschtal. After a short while along the valley floor they turn west and start the climb to the village of Andalo. This was the stage finish for a short mountain stage won by Valverde in the 2016 Giro.

From the top in Andalo they descend past the village of Molveno and the exceptionally scenic alpine lake with the same name. The descent is fairly easy and not too steep. After about 150 km they reach the valley floor at Ponte Arche before turning left and east towards the stage finish in Trento, trailing just north of the Monte Bondone massive.

Climbs:
40 km: Passo di San Lugano: 15,5 km, 5,4 %
117 km: Andalo: 12,5 km, 5,9 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 15: Trento - Rovereto, 148 km

Last stage before the second and last rest day. For several years I've called for mountain stages in the area between Rovereto and Trento and especially east of the two towns. Here there are a good selection of steep and medium length climbs that could be used to create tough and even brutal mountain stages that are less exposed at bad weather days than the high altitude climbs in the central Alps and Dolomites. RCS have done several stages in this region the later years, but have a tendency to finish with a MTF, and even a rather steep one that disourages attacks rather than the very last kms. Like Sega di Ala in 2021 and Lavarone last year.

This time we use some of the same climbs, but in a different fashion, and hopefully encouarge attacks from far out. The stage starts in Trento and takes the riders eastwards in the Valsugana valley. At Pergine after about 15 kms they start the first climb of the stage, the 10 km, cat 1 climb to Vetriolo Terme. This was also used in the 2022 Giro before descending, crossing the valley floor and immdieately start the climb to Menador, just as they did last year. But this time they aren't finishing at Lavarone, just past the top of the climb, but continue along the plateau, climbing Passo Sommo, passing through Folgaria and then starting the descent towards Rovereto.

About halfway down they turn left, off the main road and start on a smaller road climbing back towards the plataeu, to the small village of Serrada. Not a long climb, but again rather steep, almost 9 %. After Serrada, this time they descend and pass through Rovereto, where they will finish about 40 kms later. Just past Rovereto, they pass through the village of Isera, and then start the finale of the stage with the steepest climb of the stage, to Monte Faé.

The first part of the climb is about 8-10 % like the previous climbs of the stage, but the last 2,5 kms averages over 12 %, making this an excellent point for a real long range attack. Here it should be possible to create some real gaps before the short 5 km descent, where they pass through Valico San Felice and start the final climb of the stage, to Passo Bordala. This have more normal gradients of 6-7 %, but it with an attack on Fae it could provide some real action on the climb and the descent to the stage finish in Rovereto. From the end of the descent there is only about 3 kms to the finish. Not a very long stage, but a perfect set-up for aggressive racing with a rest day coming up the following day.

Climbs:
26 km: Vetriolo Terme: 10,3 km, 8,2 %
51 km: Menador: 8,7 km, 9,1 %
67 km: Passo Sommo: 4,4 km, 6,6 %
85 km: Serrada: 6,4 km, 8,8 %
116 km: Monte Fae: 7,1 km, 10 %
130 km: Passo Bordala 9,5 km, 6,9 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 16: Brescia - Brescia, 60 km ITT

Second and last ITT of this Giro. During the rest day they have moved a bit south and around Lago Garda to the Lombardia region and Brescia. From here they will do a clockwise loop in the hills north of the city. There are two climbs on the stage, where the first is categorized and reached just before the halfway point of the stage. From there the descend a bit and do another climb on fairly low gradients, about 5 kms at 4-5 %, where the top is crossed just after 40 kms. The last 20 km of the stage is first a low gradient descent before a final flat section into the stage finish in Brescia. A long and tough ITT, suitable for GC contenders that also are capable in hills. Probably a very typical Evenepoel ITT.

Climbs:
27 km: Lumezzane: 7,7 km, 4,4 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 17: Salo - Bormio 2000, 216 km

Another big mountain stage and one of perhaps two proper queen stages of this Giro. The stage starts in Salò at the southwestern bank of the Garda lake, also known for the infamous movie from 1975 with the same name. From the start they move nortwest to reach the shores of Garda's little brother, Lago d'Idro. They continue north along the eastern shore of the lake into Valli Giudicarie. Up along the valley there is an uncategorized climb between 60 and 70 kms and after descending from this they reach a fork in the road where they could turn east and head back to Trento. Instead they soon exit the main road to start the climbing and fun part of the stage with the steep climb to Passo Daone.

The top of the climb is reached after about 84 kms, from which there is a tricky descent and a false flat that leads directly in to the next climb, to Campo Carlo Magno just above the famous ski resport of Madonna di Campiglio. Some times used as an usually underwhelming MTF, this time it just passed rather early on the stage. After descending into Val di Sole where they turn left for another section of false flat before the categorized part to Passo del Tonale starts. About the same length and gradient as Carlo Magno, this mostly serves to soften the riders legs before bigger things to come. The top of Tonale is reached with about 61 kms left, followed by an about 10 km descent to Ponte di Legno, where they turn right to start the probably desicive part of the stage.

From Ponte di Legno there is about 17 kms to Cima Coppi at Passo di Gavia. Often used in the Giro, but in the later years it have often been earlier in the stages and not as a decisive part. The last time it played a certain role was in 2010 when they came the other way and finished at Tonale and in 2004 when they did the same combo as in this stage, but in a much shorter and easier stage. The length and gradients for the last two thirds of the climb, combined with the high altitude, could make this a stage where it is possible to gain minutes rather than seconds. Also bad weather and dangerous conditions, like snow, can play a part when they go as high as 2600m. The descent is also challenging, although not on the level with the way they came up, where the descent is considered close to dangerous. From the top there is almost 25 kms descent before they reach the ski resport of Bormio. Just before reaching the central part of the town, they turn left to start the last 8 kms of the stage, to the ski station of Bormio 2000.

Climbs:
84 km: Passo Daone: 8,1 km, 9,2 %
114 km: Passo Campo Carlo Magno: 15,4 km, 5,7 %
155 km: Passo del Tonale: 15,1 km, 5,9 %
182 km: Passo di Gavia: 17 km, 7,7 %
216 km: Bormio 2000: 8,5 km, 8, 5%

Profile:

Map:

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Those are some nice old stile mountain stages, and i love the 1 hour plus ITT.
However, categorizing Campo Carlo Magno as Cat1 probably made Zomegnan cry.

 

[Netserk]

In the 2015 Giro, Daone was cat 1, and Carlo Magno & Tonale were both cat 2.

 

[Netserk]

I still find it hard to comprehend that they took a detour around Bormio before the ascent in 2004.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Not only that but they kinda did it the wrong way around too.

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 18: Sondrio - Como, 195 km

Okay, time to finish this version of the Giro. From Bormio, the peloton have transferred to Sondrio in the Valellina valley. From here they will start a Il Lombardia-ish stage, doing parts of the route that are used when the classics ends in Como, like in this stage. A bit easier than the one day classic, this stage is very proably more a typical breakaway stage for strong hilly riders than a stage for the GC contenders.

From the start in Sondrio they will loop up and down the valley side a couple of times in the first part of the stage. The first climb to the village of Castione Andevenno starts almost immidiately and could form the decisice breakaway of the stage. After descending back to the valley floor there is a flat section of about 25 kms before the second climb up the northern side of the valley, this time to the small village of Cercino. Soon after descending they reach the northeastern shore of Lago di Como and continue south along the lake. After about 70 kms, they start the toughest climb of the stage, to Introzzo and past Premana, a climb that was used in GdL in the early 2000s.

After the passing Premana, they head back down towards the lake but turn and head back higher into the hills via Taceno, another climb used in earlier years in GdL. From there they will do the typical loop around the lake, first down to Lecco at the southeastern arm of the lake, then back up along the shore, almost to the famous village of Bellagio. Just before reaching the village they turn and start the most used and famous of all climbs typically used in Il lombardia, to the Madonna del Ghisallo. In earlier versions, before Muro di Sormano was introduced, this was often the decisive point of the race, as it could be for this stage. The first part of the climb is the by far toughest part and could be the place for a decsive attack from a breakaway.

After passing the church and the Marco Pantani monument at the top, they descend and start a 15 km rather flat section before the last climb, to Civiglio. This time it is climed from the easier eastern approach and followed by a rather steep and difficult descent into Como for a last 2 km loop in the city to the stage finish. Probably not a stage for the GC contenders to attack, but it could still be a very good breakaway stage.

Climbs:
9 km: Castione Andevenno: 2,8, 6,7 %
44 km: Cercino: 5,1 km, 6,5 %
79 km: Introzzo: 8,3 km, 6,8 %
161 km: Madonna del Ghisallo: 8,7 km, 5,4 %
188 km: Civiglio: 2,6 km, 6,7 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 19: Como - Biella, 181 km

Third last stage and it's probably the last chance for the spinters in this Giro. They start in Como and more or less head westwards the entire stage. First past the northern outskirts of the Milano metropolitan area, pass just south of Lago Maggiore, before they cross into the Piemonte region. Here they could have headed north for a more medium mountain finish of the stage in terrain just west of Lago Maggiore, but they instead continue towards the stage finish in Biella, trailing just south of the more hilly terrain in the region. There are none difficulties of significance on the stage, the only climb is a cat 3 with just under 40 kms left. So if the sprinter teams still have enough riders to control the stage, this is the last good opportunity for a mass sprint when they reach the finish town of Biella.

Climbs:
143 km: Montaldo: 3,3 km, 5,1 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 20: Ivrea - Courmayeur, 210 km

Penultimate stage and last big mountain stage in this Giro. Probably also the queen stage along with the Bormio 2000 stage. A brutal mountain stage in the Aosta region, looping up and down in the climbs on the northern side of the Aosta valley with the little sister of Mortirolo-Aprica as the finish of the stage. From the previous day they have moved a bit east, to Ivrea, for the stage start. Ivrea lies about at the base of the Aosta valley and the first 30 kms are a flat section up the valley. They pass the exit by Verres to Col Zuccore, a brutal climb also uses a few times in the Giro, and start the first climb of the day after about 46 kms.

The combo of Panthaleon and Barthelemy have been used a couple of times as a lead-in to a MTF in Breuil-Cervinia, just at base of Matterhorn, usually an underwhelming MTF. But this time they are going the other way, and after descending doing those two climbs in rapid order, they descend back into the valley and a short flat section as they pass just through the regional capital, Aosta, and start the third climb of the stage to Verrogne. Not as long as the two first, but a bit steeper, this should help to further soften the riders legs for the big finish of the stage. After descending from Verrogne, they pass about 150 kms into the stage, and start another climb, to Cheverel. This is basically the same climb called La Salle used in the similar Giro stage in 2019, but this time they go much further up the hillside.

The descent from Cheverel could be a bit tricky, but as it comes just before the biggest and most decisive climb it isn't that likely that the riders will take big risks on the descent. Back on the valley floor, they've passed 175 kms and then start the main climb of the stage, to Colle San Carlo.

It has been used a couple of times in the recent Giro history. In 2006 Piepoli and Basso dropped the rest by a big margin when they finished in the small village in La Thulie. In 2019 Richard Carapaz made a big solo effort to win in a similar stage to this one. They will probaly enter the climb with a very reduced peoloton, and after a long and tough Giro and several tough climbs earlier on the stage and almost 200 kms in their legs, a big attack on San Carlo could open up some real massive gaps. From the top there is about 23 kms left, so there is still some racing to do. They descend towards the main road to Col de Petit San Bernard, but continue down the road instead uphill to the pass. From the valley floor there is an about 8 km section with 3 % gradient to the stage finish in Courmayeur.

Climbs:
64 km: Col de Saint Panthaleon: 17,3 km, 6,4 %
95 km: Saint Barthelemy: 15 km, 6,5 %
135 km: Verrogne: 13,2 km, 7,5 %
165 km: Cheverel: 9,6 km, 7,9 %
187 km: Colle San Carlo: 9,7 km, 10,2 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I genuinely love that finish, it's a favourite of mine... but you can't play with my heartstrings like that by teasing Tze Core and then pulling it away from me.

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia: Stage 21: Aosta - Torino, 181 km

Last stage of this Giro, and this time they don't finish in Milano, nor Verona, Rome or Brescia. But in Torino. And not by an easy flat stage or ITT, but a fairly tough medium mountain stage which could encouarge some crazy attacks if the GC is close enough before the last day.

From Aosta the first half of the stage is easy, riding first east and then south in the Aosta valley and then cross some of the westernmost part of the flat Po basin. As they pass Chivasso just northeast of Torino, they soon after start the difficult part of the stage. First with a couple of cat 3 climbs of San Rocco and Sciolze before approaching the two climbs the could be really decisive. First the climb to Superga, which for some years were the main climb of the Milano-Torino one day classic. Not very long, but rather steep, it is possible to mount a big attack here for riders still relatively fresh after that big mountain stage the day before.

After Superga, this time they descend almost the entire way to Torino to do the full climb of Colle della Maddalena, a climb suprisingly little used to lie just outside of the the biggest cities in Italy. The top of the climb is reached with only 9 kms left, from which there is a short desent and then an only 3 km flat section to the stage finish in Torino. Not much time to rest in the final stage here for the GC contenders as it often is in the last stage of GTs.

Climbs:
111 km: Chieseta di San Rocco: 4,3 km, 7,2 %
128 km: Sciolze: 3,8 km, 6,1 %
151 km: Superga: 4,6 km, 8,7 %
172 km: Colle Della Maddalena: 6,4 km, 7,3 %

Profile:

Map:

 

[OlavEH]

Giro d'Italia v6 summary:

Stage 1: Napoli - Napoli, 19 km ITT
Stage 2: Napoli - Salerno, 208 km
Stage 3: Salerno - Melfi, 192 km
Stage 4: Foggia - Isernia, 215 km
Stage 5: Isernia - Passo Lanciano - Majelletta, 185 km
Stage 6: Chieti - Ascoli, 156 km
Stage 7: Ascoli - Macerta, 209 km
Stage 8: Fabriano - Pesaro, 199 km
Stage 9: Forli - Sestola, 209 km
Stage 10: Padova - Montefalcone, 219 km
Stage 11: Cividale del Friuli - Tarcento, 245 km
Stage 12: Udine - Belluno, 175 km
Stage 13: Cortina d'Ampezzo - Alpe di Siusi, 198 km
Stage 14: Bolzano - Trento, 172 km
Stage 15: Trento - Rovereto, 148 km
Stage 16: Brescia - Bresia, 60 km ITT
Stage 17: Salo - Bormio 2000, 216 km
Stage 18: Sondrio - Como, 195 km
Stage 19: Como - Biella, 181 km
Stage 20: Ivrea - Coumayeur, 210 km
Stage 21: Aosta - Torino, 181 km

Total: 3792 km
Cima Coppi: Passo Gavia, 2621 m
5 HC climbs (Passo Lanciano x 2, Passo delle Erbe, Alpe di Siusi, Passo Gavia, Cole San Carlo), 17 cat 1 climbs, 24 cat 2 climbs

3 High MTF (Passo Lanciano, Alpe di Siusi, Bormio 2000)
1 easy MTF after big climb (Courmayeur)
3 descent finishes (Rovereto, Sestola, Tarcento)
79 km of ITT
6 hilly/medium moutain stages including big murito stage
6 flat/mostly flat stages

Final notes:
The main objetive for this Giro was to create some sort of ultimate Giro, a version that is brutally tough and had many stage with potential for aggressive racing and to create big gaps, but still was fairly realistic and could in some sense be used in real life. The main aspect with is Giro is a handful of selected stages with significant length, a high number of height meters and design that could prompt attacks from far out. This is especially the intention with the monster medium mountain stage to Tarcento, including Sella Carnizza, the Rovereto stage with the Fae-Bordala combo and the last mountain stage with the San Carlo-Courmayeur combo.

In addition there are a couple of big MTFs to Passo Lanciano and Alpe di Siusi and big climb followed by a medium big MTF of Bormio 2000. And not the least, the murito madness stage in Marche where Montelupone at suitable length from the stage finish. I've actually saved some of the climbs and combos and climbs and deliberately not using them in previous Giro version, waiting for this one. This applies especially to the double Passo Lanciano-Majelletta ascent and the Rovereto finish via Fae and Bordala. I've also included two of the many very good big-small climb combos in Italy as the focal point for the two queen stages to Bormio 2000 and Courmayeur.

The only issue actually was limiting myself as I first created longer and tougher version of some of the stages, which in total could have made this Giro not just hard, but crazy hard. The first version to Sestola included an extra loop of Sestola and a double ascent of Colle Passerino, making the stage over 240 kms. Same for the Trento-Rovereto stage. I first made a version of over 200 km including a couple of extra climbs, but made an easier stage for the final version. The Como stage also was tougher to start with. But in the end I think this Giro was fairly balanced, and just are kept within limits to be considered realistically tough.

 

[Netserk]

The combo of Panthaleon and Barthelemy have been used a couple of times as a lead-in to a MTF in Breuil-Cervinia, just at base of Matterhorn, usually an underwhelming MTF. But this time they are going the other way, and after descending doing those two climbs in rapid order, they descend back into the valley and a short flat section as they pass just through the regional capital, Aosta, and start the third climb of the stage to Verrogne.

Barthélémy has only been used once (in 2015).
I've long had my eyes on an Aosta stage that finishes in the city after those two climbs, usually with Champremier in between them.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Huge fan of the Tarceto stage. I usually end up pairing Sella Carnizza with Sedlo Učja (2kms at 7%) right after the descent, before a finish at the Bovec ski station. That one is part of the same ski consortium as Sella Nevea, so it would be perfect as the finish of a transnational stage. My idea would be to have something like that right after a hard MTF on Zoncolan, Montasio or even Piancavallo.

 

[OlavEH]

I've long had my eyes on an Aosta stage that finishes in the city after those two climbs, usually with Champremier in between them.

I've also considered a finish in the city, but then after doing Verrogne and perhaps the first part of the climb to Pila before descending into the city of Aosta.

Huge fan of the Tarceto stage. I usually end up pairing Sella Carnizza with Sedlo Učja (2kms at 7%) right after the descent, before a finish at the Bovec ski station. That one is part of the same ski consortium as Sella Nevea, so it would be perfect as the finish of a transnational stage. My idea would be to have something like that right after a hard MTF on Zoncolan, Montasio or even Piancavallo.

Yeah, that would also work. Carnizza is really a monster that should be used once in just way. Perhaps best as you do suggest; after a big MTF. And placed for example at the end of week 2 with a rest day the day after.

In general I'm fairly suprised that RCS doesn't do more of these big medium mountain and hilly stages. Especially since a lot of them also can be done by finishing in big or medium sized towns and cities. Like the Torino stage last year. Also Genova, Verona and Vicenza, Alba, Stresa/Verbania, Bergamo and Como and more can be used as a finish for these kind of stages. It happens sometimes, but really to rarely.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I've also considered a finish in the city, but then after doing Verrogne and perhaps the first part of the climb to Pila before descending into the city of Aosta.


Yeah, that would also work. Carnizza is really a monster that should be used once in just way. Perhaps best as you do suggest; after a big MTF. And placed for example at the end of week 2 with a rest day the day after.

In general I'm fairly suprised that RCS doesn't do more of these big medium mountain and hilly stages. Especially since a lot of them also can be done by finishing in big or medium sized towns and cities. Like the Torino stage last year. Also Genova, Verona and Vicenza, Alba, Stresa/Verbania, Bergamo and Como and more can be used as a finish for these kind of stages. It happens sometimes, but really to rarely.

Don't forget Trieste with Scala Santa (2kms at 16%, mainly on gentle urban cobbles) and Brescia with Monte Maddalena from the steep side before a finish in the city, perhaps a punchy uphill finish.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Unfortunately, i think the hard side of Monte Maddalena would need new pavement before it is used in the Giro, but it would be a great finish. I'd also like to see Pian delle Fugazze and descent into Rovereto stage.

 

[ashhutch1997]

A monster climb I would like to see in the Giro is Monte Matajur, you could have a stage like last year's stage 19. A combination of Kolovrar followed by Matajur would be brutal.
I know that it's been used a finish in the Giro Donne so I can't see why the Giro couldn't use it.

​

 

[Devil's Elbow]

A monster climb I would like to see in the Giro is Monte Matajur, you could have a stage like last year's stage 19. A combination of Kolovrar followed by Matajur would be brutal.
I know that it's been used a finish in the Giro Donne so I can't see why the Giro couldn't use it.

​

Iirc they had it planned as a MTF for the 2020 edition but scrapped it due to a lack of space at the summit. The women's race uses far less infrastructure so that isn't a great guideline. Having said that, in a world where the Vuelta can squeeze a finish pretty much wherever it likes and the Tour can make Portet and Granon MTFs work, it does feel like RCS doesn't try as hard as ASO and Unipublic to fit in MTFs with complicated logistics. A far cry from the Zomegnan years, when they were willing to split an MTT into two blocks to enable a finish atop Kronplatz amongst other things...

 

[Netserk]

Most of Matajur featured in 2016.

 

[OlavEH]

Don't forget Trieste with Scala Santa (2kms at 16%, mainly on gentle urban cobbles) and Brescia with Monte Maddalena from the steep side before a finish in the city, perhaps a punchy uphill finish.

Yep, and I've created stage to Brescia via Maddalena in a previous Giro version. But it's not very well connected to other climbs. If you have a finish in Brescia after Maddalena it will a waiting game for the last climb.