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

[lechatnoir]

the thing about Friday/Saturday is that people will be poked the next day allowing for potential attacks against those in GC contention that huffed and puffed the day before. Can't wait.

['Dale]

With Kruijswijk enjoying such a buffer at the top of the standings, you have to expect aggression from Astana, and Movistar too, who both have greater strength in depth in the mountains than LottoNL. It's not what Kruijswijk wants to see, but it's probably what most spectators are hoping for.

['Dale]

 

It could be a fight to get into the breakaway today and no moves have been allowed to go clear in the opening kilometres. Cunego is sure to be interested in getting involved with the KOM points on offer today.

['Dale]

A reminder of our jersey wearers today:

 

Pink (overall): Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo)

Blue (mountains): Damiano Cunego (Nippo-Vini Fantini)

Red (points): Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo)

White (young riders): Bob Jungels (Etixx-QuickStep)

['Dale]

So, who of the GC favorites will have of the 'jelly legs rest day syndrome' ????

[HappyMartin]

Average pace as they hit the climb is 56km h. Glad I'm sitting on my couch. Sounds painful.

[Bonus]

Sky rider trying to make the jump. Lots of riders also trying.

[Bonus]

What a fantastic long descent!

[Bonus]

Not sure (due to Spanish comentary) but I think that was Valverde having a go at the riders with him for not wanting to help him.

['Dale]

Chaves and Majka are over half a minute behind here.

[Bonus]

All of them are absolutely flying today. If you took the day off work to stand by the side of the road you would not get much face-time for your effort!

[HappyMartin]

Not sure (due to Spanish comentary) but I think that was Valverde having a go at the riders with him for not wanting to help him.

Yes. Valverde had a little hissy fit. He is on a mission today. Chaves has some work to do. Pity. He was a real prospect.

['Dale]

Orica-GreenEdge lead the chase group for Chaves. He must have been suffering on that climb as he did not respond to any of the attacks. Now he's been forced into a frantic chase and it's not a battle he's winning, as the gap now stands at 40 seconds.

['Dale]

Nibali is the only man with a teammate in this front group. They've not yet shaken the race leader but with Chaves and Majka distanced. Nibbles, Valverde, and Zakarin will be really keen to keep the pace high.

['Dale]

45km remaining from 132km

 

Just 45 kilometres left of this stage - what a whirlwind it has been

['Dale]

Riders are getting shelled out the back of the chase group as Orica put their big men on the front. The gap has come down slightly to below the 30-second mark.