The GC riders will watch each other

This will play a big part in deciding the mountains jersey. By now we’ll know who the contenders are for that and they’ll all know that this is an important stage. We’ll target it with Rabottini and it’s possible someone like him could win. The reason for that is that the pink jersey group will likely let them go and there will probably be a truce on the first climb. Their race will probably start in earnest at the bottom of the climb to Belmonte but that’s over 100 kilometres in. The middle section to Oropa will be a big sort out but it could be that they’re racing for the time as opposed to the stage win. That’s the plan anyway…