Five years ago, Gilberto Simoni took control here before going on to win his second of two Giro d'Italia victories. In fact, the Italian will be back again this year and has named this stage as his target.
"I think that my stage is here, Alpe di Pampeago," Simoni noted in a March interview of the 195-kilometre stage that ends with the 7.65-kilometre romp up Pampeago, averaging 9.8% over its 753-metre rise. "I won there in the past [stage 14, 2003], and then also finished second there behind behind Pantani [stage 19, 1999 - ed.]. I have some good memories, even if there is a lot of strain associated with that climb. To be able to come out and win it would truly be a beautiful thing."
-
Tour de France stage 5 Live - Edoardo Affini early leader in crucial Caen time trial, Remco Evenepoel the big favourite in battle for yellow
Yellow jersey Mathieu van der Poel set to defend narrow overall lead -
Tour de France stage 5 time trial start times
Remco Evenepoel will be the favourite for the mostly flat stage in Caen -
Giro d'Italia Women stage 4: Sarah Gigante scores biggest career win on Pianezze summit finish as Marlen Reusser retakes maglia rosa
Elisa Longo Borghini outsprints Reusser for second place, 25 seconds down on Australian -
'It doesn't get much bigger than this' – Young Briton Oscar Onley battles with Pogačar, Vingegaard, Van der Poel at the Tour de France
22-year-old lies seventh overall after impressive start to his sophomore Tour, though team 'not putting pressure on him for a GC position' this July
