There was a similar stage in 2013 that saw Samuel Sánchez – then at Euskaltel-Euskadi – win and Chris Froome maintain his overall lead in the race. The start and finishes are the only similarities to that stage this time around with the meat of the profile taking in different climbs. The Col du Noyer does remain, acting as the penultimate ascent towards the final climb of the race.
Cyclingnews' top tip: Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale): Much will depend on how the GC stands going into the final day but the Frenchman – as he proved at the Dauphiné last year – is a rider capable of replicating the Sánchez blueprint.
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Vincenzo Nibali suffers to limit damage in first test at Giro d’Italia
Italian loses ground at Sestola while teammate Ciccone goes on offensive -
Giro d'Italia stage 4 analysis: Rain temporarily stops play
Too early for race winning moves with enough time for fatigue to slowly work into the gaps -
De Marchi: My way of doing things is more romantic than modern cycling allows
‘Before being a cyclist, I’m a husband, a father and a citizen’ says Italian in pink jersey at Sestola -
Landa: I felt I was a favourite since before the Giro d'Italia
Basque’s rasping attack splits group of favourites at Sestola
