The royal 19th stage from Longaron to the top of Tre Cime di Lavareda (183 km) awaits Slovenian cycling ace Primož Roglič (Jumbo Visma) and his competitors today.
After the already demanding last days, the caravan will have to overcome as much as 5,400 meters in altitude, and then on Saturday, in the time trial, the most difficult climb of the race to Svete Višare follows.
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 over 6.5%. The difficult part is yet to come, as after the descent it will be the Giau Pass (9.9 km/9.3%).
Finally, there is a two-part climb, first to the Treh križev pass (Tre Croci, 7.9 km/7.2%), and then, after a gentler part, the finish slope to Lavared. 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
