Stage 18: Mori - Polsa (ITT)
Distance: 20.6km
Highest point: 1,205m
Category: Individual time trial
BATTLE AGAINST THE CLOCK
The final stanza of the 2013 Giro begins with a punishing 19km cronoscalata in the hills east of Lake Garda. The gradients, an average of five percent and the final 6km at 6.8 percent, look better suited to the specialists than to the thoroughbred climbers. Though the time gaps won't be vast, it's conceivable they will determine the outcome of the race. A minute lost here may not seem a lot but in the context of the Giro, you never know. No question of the tactics, then, just 45 minutes of good old-fashioned suffering.
Stefano Zanatta says: "It's neither long nor particularly steep but a good run on this time trial will make a big difference as regards morale. If the sensations are good, it will give riders a real boost for the days to come and I have a feeling it will be particularly important for Nibali. I don’t expect huge gaps but by now the fatigue is really starting to accumulate."
Stage 18 map
Stage 18 profile
-
Tour of Holland: Timo de Jong edges out Christophe Laporte to win stage 4 from break
Lukáš Kubiš is third on VAM-Berg as Laporte takes race lead -
'Anyone have a gravel bike?' - after Tour of Holland disqualification for bike set-up, Jan-Willem van Schip mulls various options for future
Dutch rider eyes potential Unbound participation, coaching and conferences as options -
'I’m really at 50-50' – Victory Lafay still unsure of future in cycling after narrowly missing out on Tour of Guangxi Queen Stage
Frenchman says decision will be made after his final race of the season in China -
‘It feels like I've turned into a proper bike rider now' – Paul Double vindicates years of perseverance with maiden WorldTour win on Tour of Guangxi Queen stage
After long fight to make it into cycling’s top league, British rider solos to success atop Nongla Scenic Area
