Today, the first uphill finish is scheduled in the Giro d’Italia. The stage is rather short and contains two climbs of the second category. It will be the first important test for the GC riders but also the break can stay ahead so there might be a battle on two fronts.

Lotto Soudal sports director Bart Leysen hopes for there latter scenario.

“It feels good to start the sixth stage knowing that the team already obtained a victory. Yesterday, we really wanted to go for a bunch sprint so we took a lot of risks during the stage by controlling the gap on our own. If we didn’t take responsibility, the escapees would probably have stayed in front. Luckily we were able to finish it off, as sometimes it happens that someone else gets the victory due to the efforts of other teams.

"Today’s stage ends with an uphill finish. A lot of riders already have a large disadvantage in the GC so maybe the break can remain ahead. Perhaps a Lotto Soudal rider will be part of it. Besides that, we will support Maxime Monfort as well as we can.”