Stage 7 Castel di Sangro - Tagliacozzo (168.0km)
Spectacle in the Giro! At least, that's what we expect. On the seventh day, the first uphill finish is on the program, as the riders climb to Tagliacozzo.
Friday's stage counts 168 kilometers and departs from Castel di Sangro, which is located in the province of l'Aquila. From the start, they must - just like on Thursday - climb again. This time the riders go to Roccaraso, a climb of 6.6 kilometers with an average gradient of 6.4%. You can bet that it will be a good fifteen minutes of war in the peloton - and that many sprinters will be dropped.
After the Roccaraso awaits a long descent. Once down in Pretola Peligna - with sixty kilometers already covered - they climb again substantially. Substantial indeed, because the Monte Urano (4.5 km at 9.4%) has steep gradients and a steepest section of 14 percent. It just shows what kind of grueling stage this will be.
After the Monte Urano, two more long climbs and a descent in between await. First, the riders get the Vado della Forcella (21.6 km at 3.6%) to deal with - which, like the Monte Urano, is of second category, but much longer and much less steep. Yet these almost 22 kilometers will also take their toll in the lead-up to the finale.
The final act begins after 155 kilometers. It's important to watch out here for the Red Bull kilometer, which is remarkably located at the foot of the final climb. Will GC riders venture a dangerous sprint here, or will they wait until they can fire their arrows in the final kilometers?
The final climb to Tagliacozzo (12.6 km at 5.4%) is not too difficult on paper, but is actually a two-stage rocket. In the last three kilometers, the road gradient reaches double digits, which will certainly cause explosions. After Friday, much will be clear in the general classification.
| Date | Friday 16 May |
| Start |  Castel di Sangro |
| Finish | Tagliacozzo |
| Distance | 168.0 km |
| Elevation gain | 3500 m |
| Start time | 12:50 |
| Expected finish | 16:59 |
Stage 7 Castel di Sangro - Tagliacozzo (168.0km)
Spectacle in the Giro! At least, that's what we expect. On the seventh day, the first uphill finish is on the program, as the riders climb to Tagliacozzo.
Friday's stage counts 168 kilometers and departs from Castel di Sangro, which is located in the province of l'Aquila. From the start, they must - just like on Thursday - climb again. This time the riders go to Roccaraso, a climb of 6.6 kilometers with an average gradient of 6.4%. You can bet that it will be a good fifteen minutes of war in the peloton - and that many sprinters will be dropped.
After the Roccaraso awaits a long descent. Once down in Pretola Peligna - with sixty kilometers already covered - they climb again substantially. Substantial indeed, because the Monte Urano (4.5 km at 9.4%) has steep gradients and a steepest section of 14 percent. It just shows what kind of grueling stage this will be.
After the Monte Urano, two more long climbs and a descent in between await. First, the riders get the Vado della Forcella (21.6 km at 3.6%) to deal with - which, like the Monte Urano, is of second category, but much longer and much less steep. Yet these almost 22 kilometers will also take their toll in the lead-up to the finale.
The final act begins after 155 kilometers. It's important to watch out here for the Red Bull kilometer, which is remarkably located at the foot of the final climb. Will GC riders venture a dangerous sprint here, or will they wait until they can fire their arrows in the final kilometers?
The final climb to Tagliacozzo (12.6 km at 5.4%) is not too difficult on paper, but is actually a two-stage rocket. In the last three kilometers, the road gradient reaches double digits, which will certainly cause explosions. After Friday, much will be clear in the general classification.