Giro d'Italia: Of outstanding bills and bitter handicaps

The top favorite for overall victory is the recently extremely strong Brit Simon Yates, who still has unfinished business with the Italian cycling tour from previous years. The 28-year-old, who works for the BikeExchange racing team, was clearly the strongest at the dress rehearsal. He has already experienced a number of highs and lows in the Giro. In 2018, after a long period of dominance with three stage wins, he collapsed in the final phase. Last year, when the race only started in October, he had to pass at short notice after a positive corona test. Nibali is handicapped The German Buchmann is one of several podium candidates in the fight for the Giro victory trophy. Yates also sharply opposes ex-Tour winner Egan Bernal (Ineos), Mikel Landa (Bahrain) and Joao Almeida (Deceunicnk), who are repeatedly plagued by back problems. But last year's runner-up Jai Hindley (DSM), Hugh Carthy (EF) and Alexander Vlasow (Astana) also want to have a say.

Italy's veteran star Vincenzo Nibali (Trek), on the other hand, has his best days behind him, and he is also starting with a severe handicap after a broken wrist - sustained in a fall in mid-April. Just taking part in the tour of Italy is a small sensation, so you shouldn't have high expectations of the Sicilian. Even if Vincenzo Nibali can never be written off.

Vincenzo Nibali starts the race with an injury. © AFP / LUCA BETTINI

Defending champion Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos) is not there. Particular attention is paid to the comeback of child prodigy Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian is competing in his first race after a long injury break. The sprinters around Peter Sagan and Caleb Ewan once again only get a few opportunities. No stage in South Tyrol However, mountain riders can look forward to numerous ascents and descents. Things get really interesting for the first time on the 9th stage with the final climb on a gravel road to Campo Felice. The 11th section with more than 30 km on natural roads in Tuscany could also be particularly interesting.

Things get really tough on the 14th day of the race when you arrive at the dreaded Monte Zoncolan not far from the Austrian border and on the queen stage that follows two days later. On the 212 km long route from Sacile over the Fedaia, Pordoi and Giau passes to Cortina d'Ampezzo, 5.700 meters of altitude have to be overcome. This is followed by three more difficult mountain stages and the final 30 km time trial to Milan. South Tyrol will be left out of the Giro this year: there is no stage planned in this country, nor is the Giro entourage crossing our country.

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Giro d'Italia: Of outstanding bills and bitter handicaps

The Giro d'Italia begins in Turin on Saturday. s+ takes a look at the field of participants, the big favorites and the chances of Italy's great hope Vincenzo Nibali.

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