Contenders likely to let minor riders go in hills

Route: The five climbs and serpentining route offer ideal terrain for

Local Hero: Katusha's Luca Mazzanti is in the veteran category at 35, but he won't be lacking for incentive today as he races into his home city on home roads that he knows well and suit his ability perfectly.

Procycling's top tip: The final climb is also the finish for the one-day Giro dell'Emilia, won by Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni, Ivan Basso and Davide Rebellin in recent seasons. After his doping case, Rebellin won't be riding but the other previous winners will be.

Savio speaks: San Luca, an arrival that is famous for the Giro dell'Emilia every fall. It will be another stage where there won't be major differences, but the stage will be open for escapees; the classification men won't kill themselves over this.

The profile reminds me of the stage last year to Cesena where we won with our rider Alessandro Bertolini. Bologna is a city known for all kinds of food, including its Bolognese sauce and Tortellini.

Stage map

Stage profile