After the rest day we're straight back into the action again with this very appetising medium-mountain stage. There's very little flat here as after some initial 3rd category climbs the road is a constant up-and-down, wearing away the riders. The [somewhat overcategorised] climb of Pian del Falco, 16.4km @ 4.9% albeit with the last 3.5km at 9% tops out only 16km from the finish and so is an ideal springboard for attacks before an Aprica-style finish in Sestola, averaging 5% over its 7.5km. Coming off the rest day it would be disappointing not to see some GC attacks on Pian del Falco.

This stage is flat. Well at least it is for the first 204km until we reach a nasty little climb of 2.9km @ 7.8% with the last km at 10% and a very bumpy finale all the way to the line at Asolo - it reminds me a bit of that stage to Vicenza won by Philippe Gilbert last year, except without the uphill finish. Even if the GC guys don't fancy a sneaky little attack at the end here, the last 25km should definitely be worth tuning in for as it should see an interesting fight for the stage victory.

This one really is flat.

This is a stage I am really intrigued by, as it has the potential to cause absolute chaos. The first two ascents are difficult, but are unlikely to influence proceedings that much unless someone's feeling really very ambitious indeed. However the Cima Porzus (7.8km @ 9%) is not only a savage climb, but one placed such that attacks could very well happen here from over 30km out from the finish. A narrow and very technical descent ensues (rain anyone?) before the shorter but almost as steep climb to Valle of about 5.2km @ 8.5%. Hopefully someone will have attacked on Porzus and then this will split the group up further, with the descents having the potential to cause real gaps. This combination is very tough and should make for some exciting racing.

A big mountain stage, paying homage to the Maratona dles Dolomites, kicks off the third weekend, and it's a brutal one. After we start the ascent of the Passo Pordoi there is barely a single kilometre of flat road and while the individual ascents may not be the hardest, with the exception, of course, of the Passo Giau, the constant up-and-down nature of the stage will be a leg-breaker. The climbs follow in quick succession round the Sella Ronda but it is on the last two that the difference is likely to be made. The famous Passo Giau is 9.9km @ 9.4% and a rapid descent takes us straight to the foot of the Passo Valparola, a more manageable 11.5km @ 5.8%. The Giau will be the place to attack (I can already see Mikel Landa licking his lips at this one), but with 41km to go at the summit you've got to be feeling on good form. And then of course there's the Mur dl Giat, 360m @ 13.1%, the final sting in the tail, to break up what groups might be left on the road just before the finish

Rounding off the second week is the MTT to Alpe di Siusi. The time-trial has an average gradient of 7.2% over its 10.9km, and so while not as bad as that crazy Monte Grappa time-trial two years ago, it's still very difficult indeed. Not a lot to be said here, other than after a relatively shallow initial section it's a consistent climb and the riders will just have to diesel it up as best they can. Hopefully it does not adversely affect racing on the Saturday, as riders have a right to be full of trepidation for this stage.