33's the number, says T-Mobile

"This number says everything about the course," said T-Mobile Team's sporting manager Mario Kummer on the 33 classified climbs to be tackled in this year's Giro d'Italia.

Ex-professional Jens Heppner, an 11-day wearer of the maglia rosa in the 2002 Giro and now a directeur-sportif of Team Wiesenhof, also believes the number and severity of the passes will lead to a natural selection, in particular Stage 13 from Mezzocorona to Ortisei, finishing atop St.Ulrich in Val Gardena.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1