The Giro last went into Puglia in 2008 when Giovanni Visconti, now leader at ISD-Neri, took the maglia rosa on a similarly long stage into Peschici. But that finish suited climbers more than this one, where strong rouleurs should be prominent, especially if it's road-meltingly hot. They will want to get into a group that has a decent advantage once the bumps of Italy's spine are behind them, consequently giving them a good chance of success as the road drops down towards the coast.
Procycling's favourite to win:
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Gallery: Paris-Roubaix women's podium bikes
Fresh off the cobbles, all three bikes from the podium of Paris-Roubaix Femmes -
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Women's Kingdom Elite team goes one-two with Jeydy Praderas on podium ahead of Erica Carney -
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UAE Team Emirates prepare to take on Van der Poel, Pedersen, Van Aert in the Hell of the North -
Lukáš Kubiš inspired by Peter Sagan as he leads Unibet Tietema Rockets charge into debut Paris-Roubaix
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