Route: The first summit finish of the race, although not one that will have the main contenders quaking. The climb to San Martino has its tough sections, but overall it's not a tough ascent on the main road up the Cismon valley. Time gaps won't be too big here; the finish could be contested by quite a large group.
Local hero: If Ivan Basso is going to ride off with the maglia rosa for a second time, he's likely to be leaning heavily on Manuel Quinziato. A time trial specialist, the Bolzano man is very strong and versatile and is sure to be allocated plenty of hardcore domestique work on stages like this.
Procycling's top tip: No one could touch Emanuele Sella on stages like these last year, but he's now sidelined by a doping ban that contributed to his CSF Navigare team's non-selection this year. If a sizeable group comes to the finish, 2000 champion Stefano Garzelli is a good bet in an uphill sprint.
Savio speaks: San Martino di Castrozza is the first stage in the mountains - I Dolomiti. Here we will get the idea of who is not up to the task of winning the 2009 Giro d'Italia. Gilberto Simoni will try to stay with the front men.
Stage map
Stage profile
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