Stage 7: May 15 2010 - Carrara - Montalcino 222 km
A taste of the strade bianche
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
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Tour de France stage 3 Live - Another big sprint showdown expected in Dunkerque
Jasper Philipsen is chasing a second stage win on flat 178km day which could be hit by the North Sea wind once again -
Why are Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel racing the Tour de France in $300k watches, and aren’t they going to break them?
Are they actually real, working watches or just ornamental props? -
Red Bull or Ineos? Talk of Remco Evenepoel's early exit from Soudal-QuickStep resurfaces at Tour de France
Negotiations said to be 'on hold' during Tour de France but transfer likely according to Cyclingnews sources -
The current GC standings at the Giro d'Italia Women 2025
Anna Henderson claims maglia rosa with breakaway win on stage 2