Stage 12: Longarone to Treviso, 134km, flat

The peloton will be letting out a collective sigh of relief as this is a short stage that has a few little climbs but is mostly flat or descending. That said, this is the Giro so there are a few 14%-plus gradients to remind the riders that it ain’t all freewheelin’ today and sprint teams might make a point of trying to drop Mark Cavendish on these sections, but these climbs are short enough and early enough that anyone who is dropped should be able to get back on without too much trouble.

The final 7.5km is a circuit around Treviso. The last kilometre is dead straight aside from a right-left kink over a bridge at 350 metres – just as the sprinters will be preparing to ignite the turbos. We might see some shoulder and helmet-rubbing if things are tight. Continue reading →