Preview: Giro d’Italia 2019 – Stage 17

To break or not to break?

At the first glimpse I would say it's a stage more likely for the breakaway riders. At the second glimpse: nope, it might be a  day of the GC-favourites again. Which isn't a problem after all.

The 181 km long stage contains three categorized climbs (a cat 4 and two cat 3) the last one is also the hilltop finish. All in the last third of the stage. Although they are not to big, the finish is quite steep.

It's ideal for a late (solo) attack.

If it comes to a succesfull escape, I would mention Alexis Vuillermoz (AGR2) first, but I don't know in what condition he is after his serious asthma attack (and fall) yesterday. Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal),  Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) or Gianluca Brambilla (Trek-Segafredo) might be another good options. And of course someone from the Androni Giocattoli Sidermec, they have such a good breakaway riders (not just only Fausto Masnada) at this Giro.

In the battle between the GC-contenders, pobably Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) has the most reasons to attack at the end of the stage. For getting a bigger gap between him an Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), meanwhile he has to go closer to Richard Carapaz (Movistar) before the last stage at Sunday. And there are only 4 stages left till that.