Today’s stage (134 km) is the shortest one of this Giro, except for the two time trials. The riders head from Tirano to Lugano in Switzerland. There is only one official climb, almost immediately after the start. We might see a fight to get in the breakaway on that climb.

What does Lotto Soudal sports director Marc Wauters think?

“It’s a very short stage, I expect it to be a nervous one. A lot of teams will want to send someone in the breakaway, we want that too. It won’t be easy though. After seven kilometres the riders will be at the bottom of a third category climb (7,4 km long, 6.5% average gradient). The break might be formed there. After that climb the course is flat and the sprint teams can control the break if they want. After this stage there’s only one chance left for them, that’s the last stage to Milan. André Greipel has gone home so we’ll have to use other tactics.”