The route which joins Martinsicuro to Fano on Thursday could smile on punchers, with a succession of dry hills but not long enough for pure climbers.
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There won’t be so many opportunities anymore. For punchers, like Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quickstep), explosive in short and steep climbs but not aerial enough in high mountains, the possibilities of raising their arms will be rare at the end of the Giro, and the route of the 12th stage between Martinsicuro and Fano (193 km) on Thursday looks like an ideal playground.
The Frenchman, who came very close to a victory during the 6th stage, continues to try his luck in the breakaway. The sequence of eight short difficulties, not all listed, suits its qualities perfectly. And Monte Giove (1.2 km at 9.2%) located 13 kilometers from the finish could propel him to his first victory in the Tour of Italy.
But the toughest sprinters could thwart the attackers’ plans. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), second on Wednesday behind Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) could hold onto the leading group to compete for victory. As since the start of the second week, pink jersey Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and the other contenders in the general classification should have a relatively quiet day.
