Viareggio > Castelnovo ne’ Monti 186km

Welcome to the next phase of the race. After today’s wet TT, Del Toro leads Ayuso by just 25 seconds, Tiberi is at 1:01, Simon Yates 1:03 and Roglič looms large at 1:18. With what’s to come in the final week, these gaps are nothing, the race is definitely still in the balance. This day falls into the “interesting” category, at this stage, I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going to happen. A major climb cresting with 90km to go, followed by “easy” roads would normally see a guaranteed win for the breakaway, but there are a few different scenarios which could play out on the roads of the Apuan Alps. In this preview I’ll try and talk you through the pros and cons of these approaches, get a coffee, this will be longer than usual.