Today's route has real spice. It pays tribute to Tuscany's own Gino Bartali on the tenth anniversary of his death by including sections on many of his favourite training roads around his home in Ponte a Ema, close to Florence. It starts straightforwardly enough but becomes trickier as it passes through Volterra, a World Heritage site that's one of the region's most stunning hill-top towns. Closer to the finish, there are sections on the "white roads" made famous by the early-season Monte Paschi Strade Bianche one-day race and a tricky climb before a downhill run to the line.
Procycling's favourite to win:
The stage has the lumpy look of a Classic. The last climb should bring out the overall contenders but maybe not at full bore with the Terminillo to come on stage 8. Damiano Cunego will fancy this stage.
Pozzato says:
Stage Details
Distance: 222km
Vertical climb: 2,080m
Highest point: 585m
Terrain: Lumpy
Category: Road Stage
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