Before the last stage on Sunday in Rome, an 18.6 kilometer time trial could rock the Giro this Saturday, with its 7.3 km climb.
This Saturday evening, we will know the winner of the Giro 2023! Before the last stage on Sunday in Rome, which should not upset anything, an individual time trial of 18.6 kilometers is on the program for the day, between Tarvisio and Monte Lussari, close to the Austrian and Slovenian borders. The 125 survivors of this Tour of Italy will leave in turn from 11:30 am from this city located at an altitude of 752 meters to reach the finish located 1014 meters higher! After the first ten kilometers slightly uphill, and a change of bike authorized at km 9.4, the riders will climb this fearsome first category pass: an ascent of 7.3 kilometers for 889 meters of elevation, at 12.1% on average and with two peaks at 22% at the start and at the end! Undoubtedly a nightmare for non-climbers who have only one desire: to reach Rome!
🇮🇹 @Tour of Italy
📅 27/05🚩 Tarvisio
🏁 Mount Lussari
🚴🏻♂️ 18.58 Km📺 @eurosport at 11.30 a.m.#AG2RCITROËNTEAM #RideOtherwise #RideDifferently pic.twitter.com/3BjWHnRcpk
— AG2R CITROËN TEAM (@AG2RCITROENTEAM) May 27, 2023
Revenge on fate for Roglic?
But for anyone looking for victory or the Top 10, this time trial should be a great moment in cycling. This is also the first time that professional runners will take the road to Monte Lussari, which was not even paved a few weeks ago. Before this last step, three runners stand in 59 seconds: Geraint Thomas (37) is in pink, 26 seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic (33) and 59 over Joao Almeida (24). The three men have already won mountain stages and time trials during their careers.
It is undoubtedly the state of form of each and every one after three weeks of racing in often difficult weather that will act as a judge of the peace. Roglic, who will surely be the most supported rider given the proximity to Slovenia, will remember that he lost the Tour de France 2020 during the uphill time trial of La Planche des Belles Filles against Tadej Pogacar. Three years later, will the leader of Jumbo Visma take his revenge on the fate, to the detriment of Geraint Thomas? Or will Joao Almeida beat them both to the post? Answer around 6:30 p.m. And on the French side, we will monitor whether Thibaut Pinot is able to take 17 seconds from Eddie Dunbar to finish in the Top 5 (and with the jersey of best climber) of his last Giro.
