2013 Giro d'Italia Preview Stage 10-15

Stage 10
Cordenons - Altopiano del Montasio 167km

After the rest day the riders are treated to a 167km slog on the hardest stage so far from Cordenons to Montasio. With two Cat 1 climbs in the last 40km, the higher of them being the Cason di Lanza at 1552m and the summit finish at 1450m. My pick for the day will be for Italian Vincenzo Nibali.


Stage 11
Cave dil Predil - Erto e Casso 184km

A Medium Mountain stage this time with the Sella Ciampicottto the highest of the two climbs at almost 1800m above sea level. The other being a lower altitude climb at the finsh only with an altitude of 790m. The former of those is a perfect springboard for an attack so my tip is Luis Leon Sanchez for the stage win.


Stage 12
Langarone - Treviso 127km

The riders who make it through the first couple of hard stages are treated with a very short flat stage from Longarone to Treviso. With only two 4th Category climbs on route it should be no bother for the sprinter teams. My pick is for a break to go and to be reeled in by the peloton  so the smart money is on Mark Cavendish to win.


Stage 13
Buesseto - Cherasco 242km

Stage 13 is the quite similar to the prevoius days' stage except Stage 13 is double the distance of Stage 12. With the days' one climb at 40km from the finish is a Cat 3 climb. My pick of the day is for the Cannondale cannonball of Peter Sagan.

Stage 14
Cervere - Bardonecchia 168km

Two high climbs on Stage 14 can determine the contenders of the magila rosa. With a second category climb at Sestrire only 37km before the finish and the Summit finish on the Cat. 1 climb up to Bardonecchia this stage will be perfect for the KoM contenders as well. My tip for the stage win is Lampre rider Michelle Scarponi.

Stage 15
Cesana Torinese - Col du Galibier

The first time that this years' race exits Italy. The real climbing of the day starts happening when the race enters France; with the Category 1 Col du Mont Cens before two climb in the last 22km the 2nd Category Col du Telegraph before the 2642m tall Col du Galibier. The best stage of this years race in my opinion. My pick is for Chris Anker Sorensen to win stage 15.