Stage 5 - Taranto to Viggiano (203KM)
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After giving the sprinters something to fight for the Giro d'Italia embraces the first of its five medium mountain stages, with a 203 kilometres stage from Taranto to Viggiano. With more rain forecast for the south of Italy despite the race's best attempts to escape it.
With one intermediate sprint point and three categorised climbs, with the stage's finish being the last, there will be plenty for the breakaway of the day to fight over. Should one plucky escapist manage to win all three King of the Mountains points then we could see a change in the wearer of the Maglia Azzurra (Blue Jersey).
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After three consecutive sprint stages, Stage 5 presents the opportunity for a different kind of rider to strike out for glory. With the finish being suited to the realm of the Puncheur and those sprinters who prefer a hillier parcours.
Any surprise moves coming from the General Classification contenders should be more about a display of strength than anything else. However, the ten, six and four second bonuses awarded to the first three finishers may encourage an attack from those desperate to regain seconds upon their rivals.
The peloton will tackle the summit finish in Viggiano twice during the course of today's stage, with a 13.6 kilometre circuit bringing the riders back around for the finale. With a potentially tricky technical 5.5 kilometre descent following the first ascent up to Viggiano, featuring several snaking bends and switchbacks.
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After the descent in to Innesto the riders will have to cope with a constant average gradient of 2.6% until they are inside the two kilometres to go marker. While nothing especially difficult on paper it will ultimately still be taxing on the legs ahead of the 1750 metres that will separate them from the finishing line.
Signalling the beginning of the “proper” climb in to Viggiano will be a 90-degree right-hand turn after the two kilometre to go mark. Here the riders will begin to follow a snaking six metre wide road up to Viggiano that has an average gradient of 6.2%.
The final kilometre of the stage will be at an average gradient of seven percent, with a section of eight percent lurking 500 metres from the finish. After weaving through a u-shaped curve roughly 200-150 metres before the finishing line the final 100 metres will be dead straight and uphill at gradients upwards of six percent.
Stage Contenders
Compared to the relatively Kittel dominated sprint stages, today's first medium mountain stage offers a chance to a raft of different riders. With current Maglia Rosa wearer Michael Matthews said to be targeting victory on stages five and six.
It may be a surprise to see Giant Shimano among my list of contenders for the stage honours. However, Simon Geschke proved he could mix it with the best during Amstel Gold Race and De Brabantse Pijl. Could the German surprise with victory on a classics-esque summit finish?
I wouldn't be surprised to see Diego Ulissi or Damiano Cunego attempt to steal the spotlight for Lampre Merida. While the team are throwing their hopes of a high General Classification finish behind veteran Przemyslaw Niemiec, the Italians cannot pass up a good opportunity for some stage honours.
We can expect the likes of Neri Sottoli, Bardiani – CSF, Team Colombia and Androni Giacottoli to be involved; whether through a breakaway or daring attack before the line. Riding for Androni, Johnny Hoogerland is a name which brings back memories of daring attacks. While Team Colombia may possess the best chance of emerging with something through the likes of Fabio Duarte.
While he may not yet be hitting the heights of seasons past, Moreno Moser of Team Cannondale could be an outsider's name for the finish. While with Garmin Sharp's General Classification ambitions effectively ruined perhaps we should expect something from them.
Given their situations in the General Classification standings could either Joaquim Rodriguez or Pierre Rolland be dark horses for the stage victory? The punchy finish and time bonuses will suit the explosive climbing style of Rodriguez. With the Spaniard already over a minute behind several of his main rivals.
Epilogue
Could this be a day for the breakaway? Or will too many teams be interested in marshaling the race so it is decided by the second climb up to Viggiano? While on paper it is not a day for the General Classification riders to get involved, could we see a late attack from Rodriguez in a bid for time?
