As we enter the final week of May the 2008 edition of the Giro d'Italia is 13 stages old. Whilst these first 13 stages were hardly uninteresting there can be no doubt that the tour's main contenders have been biding their time in the knowledge that the remaining stages will determine the eventual victor of this prestigious race.
The Mountains Await
For the final week the race enters the mountain ranges of Northern Italy with a series of stages in the Alps. Of the final eight stages, five are categorised by the race organisers as being mountainous and it is these stages that will prove to be pivotal in the race for the leader's maglia rosa or pink jersey.
The race's first mountain-top finish comes on the tour's first foray into the mountains with a stage to the Alpe Di Pampeago (1). A climb of just over seven and a half kilometres at an average gradient of just shy of 10%, it comes after 190 kilometres and, perhaps more tellingly, four other climbs including the testing 23 kilometre ascent of the Passo de Manghen (1). However with another four stages in the mountains to come the leading riders are unlikely to attempt a killer blow on this stage. They are more likely to be content to limit their losses as the next day brings even tougher challenges.
The Queen of the Dolomites
Stage 15 of the Giro brings the toughest day in the saddle for the riders. The route takes the peloton over four mountain passes combining for an average altitude of over 2,100 metres (2) before culminating in a climb up the Queen of the Dolomites – the Marmolada (3).
It is a brutal stage and although, at 153 kilometres, it is relatively short, it is a certainty that some huge time differences will be recorded here. Stage 15 is likely to have a major say in who will and who will not be victorious in this year's race.
Time Trial Toil
After the toughest stage of the race the riders can only look forward to a testing time trial up an unsurfaced road to Plan de Corones. This time trial may be short at a touch under 14 kilometres but it brings with it stretches that touch gradients of 24%. A leading contender could see their race disintegrate in this short but murderously tough time trial.
Keep on Climbing
After a rest day the race keeps heading upwards with a further two mountain stages including the highest pass of the race – the Passo Gavia which stands a lung busting 2,618 metres above sea level. By this time the battle for victory should be between only two or three riders and a bad day could cost any one of them dearly and see them plummet down the general classification before the final time trial to Milan.
The coming week is arguably the most exciting single week this years cycling season has to offer. Expect the race's current standings, shown below, to change beyond recognition. Only one thing is certain – it will take a true climber to be able to make the ultimate climb to the top of the podium on the Giro's final day in Milan.
Standings after Stage 13 (4)
Pos Name Nat Team Overall Time Time Behind
1 VISCONTI Giovanni ITA QST 57:17:06 0:00
2 BOSISIO Gabriele ITA LPR 57:22:56 5:50
3 CONTADOR Alberto ESP AST 57:24:05 6:59
4 KLODEN Andreas GER AST 57:24:47 7:41
5 NIBALI Vincenzo ITA LIQ 57:24:57 7:51
Sources:
(1) Cycling Alpe di Pampeago - Cavalese
(5) "Giro d'Italia - Key Stages", Cycle Sport Magazine, June 2008.
