The Giro returns to the Adriatic coast for a stage that finishes in the resort town of Termoli. From the start in Notaresco, the route heads east to the coast, then turns south-east along the seashore, heading towards the city of Pescara. The riders will turn inland before there, though, the roads undulating for the next 70-odd kilometres. The most significant test in this section is the fourth-category ascent into Chieti, but the rollercoaster ride continues beyond here, which will boost the hopes of the breakaway group of going the distance, at least temporarily.
That’s because, once the race returns to the shores of the Adriatic at Ortona, all of the day’s most significant climbing is done. Riding on wide roads hugging the coast, the sprinters’ teams should be able to reel the breakaway group back in quite easily. There’s a little hump of a climb at Vasto, but once past that the riders will have the sea just to their left all the way into the finish town.
There are a couple of rises in the final kilometre, but that shouldn’t trouble the sprinters too much as they seek to emulate Lithuanian powerhouse Tomas Vaitkus, who was the winner the last time the Giro raced into Termoli in 2006, edging out Paolo Bettini.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.
