Which one is the hardest stage of this yar's Giro?

[plooton]

It seems that stage 14 with Crostis and Zoncolan ascends is generally supposed to be the hardest stage. Personally, the stage 15 set the third tough stage in the row could be actually the hardest one.


As quoting Contador words:

“I think there must be a total of about 6500m of climbing. I’ve never done that much in my life. And there’s the distance too: 230km. And the fact we do it after the stage to the Zoncolan,” Contador said. “If anyone is still alive after the Crostis and the Zoncolan, this will seem like a walk in the park.”
....it seems that he must be convinced the hardest stage to be that Zoncolan one, despite a bit sarcastic sound the meaning.

So I'm for the stage 15, and what about you?

 

[plooton]

pls, and how to stick a poll in here?

 

[roundabout]

I think there's an option for a poll under additional options just above the posting rules.

Or you can ask a mod.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Stage 15. Fedaia is a harder climb than it is often given credit for (and is probably my absolute favouritest climb of them all). Giau is a surprisingly low Cima Coppi, and they're climbing the easier side. But that finish - maybe short but very, very steep on the back of a punishing stage...

 

[The Hitch]

Stage 14 is the hardest profile ive seen in my life.

The other 3 (13 15 and 19) would easily make the hardest stage at any other grand tour, but at this one they are mere podium material.

Crostsis followed by zoncolan is just nuts ok. Seriously. Some of the stages that people put forward as jokes - eg pack of wolves chasing the riders, or riding etna with the lava flowing down, would imo be more humane than the final 2 hours of Saturday.

Especially considering its pretty much climb and descend all the way to the Crostsis and the day before they have Grosslglockner

 

[roundabout]

Crostis+Zoncolan

However Giau+Fedaia+Gardeccia the day after are also very tough. Fedaia is about 11% average for the last 6km or so. Gardeccia is 10% for the whole climb after 220 km of riding and even the start of the day is brutal with Piancavallo.

 

[Publicus]

I'm going to say 13-15 represent the most brutal days of climbing I've ever seen in a Grand Tour. Whoever comes out on top after that trio deserves the Giro title IMO.

 

[benpounder]

Crostis-Zoncolon - two 10km+ climbs at gradients above 10%

Of course, Stage 4 will probably have been the most difficult when all is said and done.

edited lest someone misunderstand what I was thinking.

 

[nvpacchi]

I'm going to say 13-15 represent the most brutal days of climbing I've ever seen in a Grand Tour. Whoever comes out on top after that trio deserves the Giro title IMO.

This. In a sense its kind of a shame that this stretch is so brutal. By the time the race reaches Finistre/Sestriere the overall placings will/should be more or less already decided.

Still have to give stage 15 the nod for most difficult. Watching Sella fly up Fedaia in 2008 was awesome

 

[plooton]

Crostis+Zoncolan

However Giau+Fedaia+Gardeccia the day after are also very tough. Fedaia is about 11% average for the last 6km or so. Gardeccia is 10% for the whole climb after 220 km of riding and even the start of the day is brutal with Piancavallo.

Extreme tough, mainly when realizing that the stage of 230 kms includes 3 ascends roughly hard the same as famous Alp d'Houz ascend, for illustration.

 

[The Hitch]

Extreme tough, mainly when realizing that the stage of 230 kms includes 3 ascends roughly hard the same as famous Alp d'Houz ascend, for illustration.

Yeah good point. Giro has hundreds of climbs (slight exageration) that are like Alpe d huez.

Which makes me think they will struggle to sell Alpe as the main event next year. They need to put a lot lot more in there. Stelvio surely, and im guessing Kronplatz. But anyway, i trust Zomegnan with that too.

 

[jobiwan]

Yeah good point. Giro has hundreds of climbs (slight exageration) that are like Alpe d huez.

Which makes me think they will struggle to sell Alpe as the main event next year. They need to put a lot lot more in there. Stelvio surely, and im guessing Kronplatz. But anyway, i trust Zomegnan with that too.

They're going up Alpe D'Huez in the Giro next year??

 

[Ferminal]

14 is the hardest 50km, 15 is the hardest entire stage.

 

[benpounder]

14 is the hardest 50km, 15 is the hardest entire stage.

Stage 20 could be the most difficult, depending on how it is raced (and that likely depends on the time gaps). 196km of flat - a stage in and of it self - before they hit the most difficult climb any Grand Tour races, Colle delle Finestre. The finishing climb up to Sestriere normally is mildly difficult, but on this day, a number of riders will be on the edge of a bonk.

I still think stage 14 will prove to be the pivotal stage, thus the most difficult, just because this is when the real race for GC begins.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I'm going to say 13-15 represent the most brutal days of climbing I've ever seen in a Grand Tour. Whoever comes out on top after that trio deserves the Giro title IMO.

13 isn't in the same league as the other two.
14 is such a hard 50km.. But stage 15 is such a tough day, even more so when considering the previous 2 stages.

 

[Eshnar]

They're going up Alpe D'Huez in the Giro next year??

yes, it's been announced last year.

 

[will10]

I think Gardeccia is the hardest stage. I suspect we'll see somewhat of a truce over Crostis, and although Zoncolan is war, so will Gardeccia be. It doesn't look like much on the profile but the final climb is a brute.

 

[The Hitch]

They're going up Alpe D'Huez in the Giro next year??

Ya. To celebrate 60 years since this legend smashed it.

Think it was the first time it was used or something.

The Giro always celebrates something. Another reason to love it.

 

[jsem94]

Giro + Alpe d'Huez = Win

 

[Libertine Seguros]

They'll have to precede it with a stage over either Esischie or Fauniera and Sampeyre or something like that to put the requisite evil in the legs to make the Alpe a killer.

 

[benpounder]

They'll have to precede it with a stage over either Esischie or Fauniera and Sampeyre or something like that to put the requisite evil in the legs to make the Alpe a killer.

Saluzzo to L'Alpe D'Huez: 200km over Colle dell'Angello, Col D'Izoard, Col du Lauteret berfore L'Alpe. 5250m of climbing. [my edit] Oops, that vert number is if you rode it backwards. it is acutally 6750m of climbing!

 

[Boeing]

Back to back 14 and 15 youmight be on to something. how one finds the legs for 15 assuming they make the cutoff on 14 is beyond comprehension.

alberto is right about recovery for this tour

 

[craig1985]

Stage 15 for mine.

 

[Jan the Man]

I think Stage 15...because it is after Stage 14.

Stage 14 clearly has the toughest 50km in the race and is not easy before that with three climbs and a couple of uncategorised climbs to boot.

Stage 15 has hard climbs from the start, is long and the Gardeccia is actually going to surprise some with its toughness, and of course it follows stage 14!

I don't think I've ever looked forward to seeing two stages as much.

 

[El Pistolero]

Stage 16 can break a lot of dreams this Giro.