Giro 2014 stage 12, a flat time trial, which goes from Barbaresco to Barolo, now will have a new course. A hillier one, as organisers RCS Sport announces.

The new course will be of 43km length instead of the original number of 46km. But the most important thing is the inclusion of a climb towards Manera, which means at least 300 metres of extra climbing. Also Castiglion Falletto will be added near the finish, which is another small climb, with about 100 meter altitude gain, also in the Langhe hills. Along with the already existed Vergne climb, the stage can now be more precisely called a "hilly" time trial. (The picture shows the original route, with Vergne in it.)

The changes are made following a request from regional government officials in Piedmont, who wanted the course to showcase the famous wine-producing region. As a result, Giro's time trial will wind its way through the picturesque Langhe hills.

The Giro 2014 contains one team time-trial, and two individual time trials. The second time trial is a very difficult mountain TT, and with the alteration of the first TT, the race will favor the climbers more than the all-arounders, at least theoretically.

As of now, several strong GC riders have shown interest in the race, including Dan Martin, J-Rod as well as Quintana, all of whom has shown climbing prowess in the mountains, but less capable against clock in flat terrains. Another favorite of the race, Porte will not likely to welcome the route change though, as he's one of the best TTer in the peloton.