Strong masks. The cards on the table. No more lanterns, no more looking the other way. The Giro d’Italia summons its bosses to the first big high mountain stage that will take place in the third and final week of the race. The 16th round of this Pink Corsa will be a litmus test that only the best will survive. Whoever does not have legs, beyond the differences that can be made in the general classification, will say goodbye to all their chances of winning the Giro.
And it is that the demand of the route is one of those that is scary. In total, 203 kilometers and 5,200 meters of accumulated unevenness. A real torture. Even if more than one tries to play a reserve role, the hardness will be too much to see a mere troupe from start to finish. will be promoted five chained ports (two from 1st, two from 2nd and one from 3rd category), with Monte Bondone as the main protagonist: 21.4 km at 6.7% average and maximum ramps of 15% about five kilometers from the top. Little joke.
It will be the eighth time that the Giro has gone through this mythical ascent, which will host a stage finish in the Pink Corsa for the fifth time. Until now, full of Italian triumphs, being Ivan Basso his last winner in the 2006 edition. Michael Landa He is the only Spaniard who has managed to prevail in Monte Bondone, but he did it in the Giro del Trentino in 2014. Bruno Armirail starts with a 1:08 advantage over Geraint Thomas, his most immediate pursuer, so there is no doubt that today the Frenchman will say goodbye to the lead. We will see if there is a concession for the escape to succeed, although the men of the general, once and for all, should take a step forward. Pink goes up for auction at Monte Bondone. Who gives more?