The royal 19th stage from Longarone to Tre Cime di Lavaredo (183 km) awaits Slovenian cycling ace Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) and his competitors today.
After such a demanding last few days, the caravan will have to overcome as much as 5,400 meters in altitude, and then on Saturday, the most difficult climb of the race to Svete Višare follows in the time trial.
The riders will start a slight climb towards the first Campolongo pass, so to speak, from the start. Only the last part is categorized, but the climb is longer and much more difficult than the numbers show (3.9 km/7%).
The day in the high mountains will continue with the Valparola Pass, which is flatter, but therefore 14.1 km long. The average gradient is 5.6%, and in the last eight kilometers it is above 6.5%. The difficult part is just coming, because after the descent, the Giau Pass (9.9 km/9.3%) will be on the way.
Finally, there is a two-part ascent, first to the pass of the three crosses (Tre Croci, 7.9 km/7.2%), and then, after the gentler part, the finish slope to Lavaredo. Especially the last four kilometers are steep with an average gradient of 11.7 percent.
Until the procession in Rome on Sunday, a three-way battle for the overall victory is expected. Today and tomorrow the pink jersey will be chased by the leading Briton Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), the second-placed Roglič (+0:29) and the third Portuguese João Almeida (+0:39) from UAE Team Emirates.
The stage starts at 11:50 a.m. and is expected to end after 5 p.m.
Source: Rtvslo
