Route: Another stage that looks like RCS Sport has dropped a piece of string on a map and designed the day around it. These climbs are much harder than those of the two previous days. Monte Nerone and Monte Catria feature long, steep ramps that favour climbers with a rapid turn of speed. The hardest section of Monte Petrano is near the bottom, and there will be major splits there.
Local Hero: The Michele Scarponi fan club will be out in force, assuming they haven't deserted him after his involvement in the Puerto scandal. The Diquigiovanni rider is having a resurgence this season, exemplified by his stage and overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico.
TOPICS
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Outshining established players, mid-season promotions and Grand Tour victories – Taking a closer look at 10 stand-out neo-pros of 2026
Paula Blasi and Paul Seixas dominated this year's up-and-comer headlines in their second pro seasons, but who are the fresh stars of the future stepping into the professional peloton and staking their claim in 2026? -
'I felt the bone snap' - Hannah Otto survives 40% gradients, snowy summit and fracture to set epic one-day Kilimanjaro summit record
'I think this shows that a dreram may just be the most powerful thing in the world' -
Superprestige Middelkerke: Joran Wysure steals the win as Michael Vanthourenhout has heated run-in with Cameron Mason
Kevin Kuhn rounds out podium behind Vanthourenhout -
Superprestige Middelkerke: Aniek van Alphen puts in dominant performance ahead of European Championships
Defending European champion Van der Heijden misses the attack, takes second over Betsema
