Due north is the direction and Pistoia is the destination for the end of week one of the 88th Giro d'Italia. Once again, a final circuit will condition the stage outcome, but it's not for the speedsters. After passing close to the skyscraper towers of San Gimignano and climbing the San Baronto GPM with 48km to go, next stop is the tough climb of Sammome'. This steep narrow ascent gains 491m. in just 4.5km, then plunges back down to Pistoia to finish in the Piazza S.Francesco d'Assisi. A dangerous finale for riders who have ambitions to win the Giro, for a bad position before the Sammome' could lose valuable seconds.
More about race
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Jan Christen follows Tadej Pogačar's Volta ao Algarve wheel tracks with stunning win and race lead at Alto da Foía
Young Swiss rider digs deep to stay ahead of teammate Almeida and key favourite Vingegaard -
'I used to be nervous in the finals' - Jonathan Milan establishes himself as world's best sprinter ahead of Merlier, Philipsen
Italian scores vital second victory over rivals in unofficial 'sprinters world championships' at UAE Tour -
As it happened: A GC showdown atop Alto da Foia on stage 2 at Volta ao Algarve
The peloton will start in Lago and finish on the Fóia, the highest point of the Algarve region at 896 metres above sea level -
Volta ao Algarve: Jan Christen claims first leader's jersey with stage 2 victory atop Alto da Foia
UAE Team Emirates-XRG take top two spots as João Almeida accelerates on double-digit final section for second place and bonus time ahead of GC favourites
