With two more decisive mountain stages and the final day time trial to come, this is the final fling for the sprinters. It's a short stage with no significant difficulties. Breakaway specialists will also have their eyes on this stage that follows the western shore of Lake Garda before heading into Brescia.
The brutal climbing in the previous week is likely to cause a number of top sprinters to drop out by this point. That means fewer teams with a good reason to chase down any escapees. The hills along the way will hinder the peloton from hitting its stride until the final 40km so there could be a frantic finale.
Procycling's favourite to win:
Winner of 26 Giro stages and three times the points champion, Lampre sprinter Alessandro Petacchi has only failed to finish his national tour three times in 10 starts. Those stats add up to a Petacchi win today. But if ‘Ale-jet' is out of the picture, Lampre should still be able to take the race on with Danilo Hondo, Mirco Lorenzetto and Francesco Gavazzi.
Distance: 156km
Vertical climb: 960m
Highest point: 717m
Terrain: Flat
Category: Road Stage
-
Déjà-vu for Tom Pidcock as jacket removal mistake leads to impressive but futile fightback at Clásica Jaén
Briton finishes second after UAE Team Emirates-XRG's strength added another hurdle -
'I'd prefer he wasn't here' – Josh Tarling and Ethan Hayter stay upbeat but realistic ahead of challenging Remco Evenepoel in UAE Tour time trial
Belgian to start fifth at 12:54, with race leader Isaac del Toro set to roll down the start ramp last, almost two and a half hours later -
'It's historically embraced practices that have put riders' bone health at risk' - How pro cycling is tackling its awkward relationship with low bone density
For all of cycling's health benefits, bone density isn't one of them, so how are the pros combating the effects that a career in the saddle has on their bones, and what can we learn from them? -
Jan Christen disqualified from Clásica Jaén podium over Maxim Van Gils crash in three-up sprint
Swiss rider was judged to have deviated from his line
