The Giro, my favourite tour of the year is only 2 weeks....

['Dale]

Reports coming through that Jakob Mareczko has abandoned. Mareczko would have been a contender for victory in today's finish if it comes down to a bunch sprint.

['Dale]

Giant-Alpecin are in a long line at the front of the peloton. With the pink jersey to look after, they've been doing most of the work on the front today.

['Dale]

The riders are heading into the city of Montella a place known for its chestnut groves.

['Dale]

Andre Greipel has won a stage of every Giro d'Italia he's ridden and he'll be keen to get off the mark as soon as possible. He could do that at the finish today.

 

"First of all, it’s a pretty long day, the first 35km are uphill so I think that there is also a chance for a breakaway. We’ll see who controls the breakaway. In the beginning, it’s not for us to do so we’ll just try to hang in there. The final looks pretty good. I hope that I can be there in the final and that we can all be there for the sprint.

 

"The last kilometre is uphill and on cobbles, for sure it is not going to be easy..."

['Dale]

The gap to the break has been below the four-minute mark for quit some time now. Crucially, it means that none of the escapees are within touching distance of the pink jersey for the moment.

['Dale]

In fact, most of the peloton are now organised in team formation. Lampre-Meirda are just behind Astana with Sky in formation behind them.

[Bonus]

The four riders in the break are flying at the moment. They've all taken on fresh bottles. 34 km to go. Break at 1.44

[tombeej]

Well it seems I'm wrong (again ). It's going to be a traditional sprint finish.

[Bonus]

30 km to go, gap at 1.30

[tombeej]

Reports coming through that Jakob Mareczko has abandoned. Mareczko would have been a contender for victory in today's finish if it comes down to a bunch sprint.

I had him in my fantasy league team. Thought he'd be a clever 'dark horse pick' with the start he's had this year.

 

Instead, he's been a complete dud. Lesson learnt.

[Bonus]

27km to go, gap at 1.25

The breakaway riders are discussing something

 

They seem to have been descending for ages!

[Bonus]

The breakaway have slowed down. Break at 1.12 with 25.5 to go

['Dale]

I had him in my fantasy league team. Thought he'd be a clever 'dark horse pick' with the start he's had this year.

 

Instead, he's been a complete dud. Lesson learnt.

Fascinating joker in the pack there, tom'

['Dale]

 

Lots of teams are interested in making the chase in this finale. IAM Cycling are also lending a hand on the front.

['Dale]

Andre Amador back at the team car for some mechanical assistance. He's got his power meter dangling from his handlebars. Amador was another loser in terms of time yesterday.

['Dale]

 

The peloton is in one long line again and there are riders struggling to keep in touch with the back. It is Trek that are doing the work on the front with Lotto-Soudal. The gap was down to almost a minute but has come back up a little to 1:25.