Stage 9 » Benevento › San Giorgio del Sannio (215k)
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A longish and very difficult stage with 3 categorised climbs and over 4,000m of vertical climbing that should provide a real test and could lead to some gaps if anyone isn't on their game today. We start in the city and province of Benevento, which was a Roman stronghold in the region of Campania. It has lots of ancient Roman remains and a large well-preserved Roman theatre and the Santa Sofia church dates from 760 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are still and head North-East at first to Pietrelcina before looping round and South back through the city of Benevento and into the Appennines of Campania towards Atripalda. The opening miles are tough, with constant undulations and we should see a breakaway get up the road fairly quickly.
Terminio
Molella
We enter the picturesque Irpinia region but the peloton shouldn't spend too long admiring the scenery as we quickly hit the first categorised climb of the day, the Cat 2 Terminio. This shouldn't cause too much damage, being a long draggy climb, but it precedes the more challenging Molella which has 3km at 9% in the middle of it, including sections over 12%. Dropped riders won't have too much time to get back on here either, as the road has lots more undulations that lead through Lioni, Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi and Castelvetere sul Calore. We go under the 20km barrier and almost immediately hit the challenging Passo Serro climb.
Passo Serro
Last kms of Stage 10
The Passo Serro should cause damage, even though it is short. It has a poor road surface in places, is narrow and has 2km in the middle over 9% including 1km at 12%. There is then a short descent before another short climb before a flatter section on the city roads of San Georgio del Sannio. There is a left hand turn at 1200m and then an easier left hander at 700m. The home straight at Viale Spinelli is 650m long on a 7m wide asphalt road so if there is a sprint there shouldn't be too many problems, but considering the nature of the previous miles, it should be from a very select group. San Georgio del Sannio has been a finishing destination only once before in Giro history, in 1987 when Paolo Rosala won stage 8.
This is a tough stage to call. This could suit a late solo attack or possibly the morning break could even stay away. If he is fit and this stage ends in a sprint from a select group then this could be a stage that may well attract the attention of a rider like Simon Gerrans.
Really looking forward to this stage. I think the breakaway is quite likely to make it so I don't think it will pay to be that adventurous with bets before the off, although I might throw a dart or two. There are plenty of people that will try and get in the break - anyone going for the KOM jersey should with the points available.
Really looking forward to this stage. I think the breakaway is quite likely to make it so I don't think it will pay to be that adventurous with bets before the off, although I might throw a dart or two. There are plenty of people that will try and ge
Agree with you MC think a break should have a good chance and anyone with kom aspirations should be in the break. Have had couple of quid on Zardini 50/1 and Polanc 125/1.
Gl all.
Agree with you MC think a break should have a good chance and anyone with kom aspirations should be in the break. Have had couple of quid on Zardini 50/1 and Polanc 125/1.Gl all.
264km stage yesterday, then a 400km transfer and a stage with some early lumps. The first part of the stage today will be so epic, everyone will try and get in the break and we could see quite a big group.
Spoilsports are 6 places on each way bets - well done to them. Thrown a few more mirco darts.
Zardini 50/1, Anton 200/1, Elissonde 300/1 & Szmyd 200/1
264km stage yesterday, then a 400km transfer and a stage with some early lumps. The first part of the stage today will be so epic, everyone will try and get in the break and we could see quite a big group.Spoilsports are 6 places on each way bets - w
In 2013 Movistar won 3 consecutive stages between 15 & 17 when Benat Inxausti won a stage sandwiched between two stages for Giovanni Visconti. Their stated aim this time around was again stage wins and although Visconti & Amador are both up there in the GC at the moment you wouldn't expect either to make a realistic challenge. Interesting that Jesus Herrada has infiltrated this break, the 2013 Spanish Road race champion is a good climber and will be a real danger of this break stays out. He didn't appear to go for any mountain points either on the first climb (Geschke won it from Betancur) so his eyes must be firmly on the stage today.
In 2013 Movistar won 3 consecutive stages between 15 & 17 when Benat Inxausti won a stage sandwiched between two stages for Giovanni Visconti. Their stated aim this time around was again stage wins and although Visconti & Amador are both up there in