After a rather calm day on Thursday, the peloton will this time face a first big mountain stage this Friday between Borgofranco d’Ivrea and Crans-Montana (Switzerland).
Time (finally) for serious things in this 106th edition of the Giro. Indeed, if the first stages were relatively flat (except the 7th between Capua and Gran Sasso), the high mountains will be on the menu of the day. This Friday, the peloton will start from Borgofranco d’Ivrea and will finish in Switzerland, near Crans-Montana, after 199 kilometers which promise to be intense. However, if the start should be rather calm during the crossing of the Val d’Aosta, the difficulties will then follow, during this 13th stage of the Tour of Italy. To start, the peloton will have to climb the Grand Saint-Bernard (25.7 km at 5% average), the route of which has been slightly modified. If the latter was initially to be the Cima Coppi of this edition of the Giro (i.e. the summit with the highest altitude reached), the snow decided otherwise and the runners will therefore not pass the Grand-Saint-Bernard tunnel, which changes slightly less of the deal for them (8 kilometers and 700 m of elevation gain less).
📅 19/05/2023
🚴♂️ Stage 1️⃣3️⃣ | Tappa 1️⃣3️⃣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Borgofranco d’Ivrea – Crans Montana (Valais)
📏 199 km
🎢 GPM: 1a cat. x3
⏰ Start | Departure: 11.00 AM
🏁 Arrival | Arrival: ~4.30 PM
📺https://t.co/yQ4U00ZS4q
🇬🇧🇮🇹🇪🇸🇫🇷 Live: https://t.co/tqghZqUgWY… pic.twitter.com/2qaG08Lgs5— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 19, 2023
Thomas: “A first big test”
Behind this first category 1 pass, two others are also on the day’s program for this alpine stage. With the Croix de Coeur (15.4 km at 8.8%) and finally a summit finish in the canton of Valais in Crans-Montana (13.1 km at 7.2%). A copious menu which made Geraint Thomas, the current holder of the pink jersey, say that this 13th stage would be “a first big test” to gauge the candidates for the final victory in this Tour of Italy. After staying warm on Thursday, the favorites will indeed have to show up this Friday and won’t be able to hide for very long. Apart from the rider of the Ineos Grenadiers formation, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) is expected, as is Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) who could take the opportunity to score valuable points in the fight to be in possession of the blue jersey of best climber .
