T-minus 2

 

All tranquillo for now: Groupama FDJ soaking up Italy 





For fans (myself included) who can't get enough for gravel we can pause and be happy and look forward to stage 11: Perugia to Montalcino (163 km). The Giro organizers deserve credit for including 35 kilometres of gravel a climb at the end and a downhill finish tailored made for the baroudeur (strongman), a tough day for all. There will be four long sectors of sterrato in the final 70km. 
Gravel grinders unite.


"It's basically a mini Strade Bianche but tougher and more technical."
-Matt White. DS Team BikeExchange



Stage 11: The mini Strade Bianche






Stage 14: The Monte Zoncolan is daunting, scary and beautiful: 10km with ramps up to 20%. 



"It's like a slow execution."
-Giberto Simoni conquered and won on top of the Zoncolan: Giro 2003 & 2007.












Steep much?: motorcycles only.



Stage 14: Cittadella to Monte Zoncolan: A day you can lose the Giro.













New jerseys



The pedaler of charm: Hugo Koblet became the first non-Italian to win in 1950.




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