As predicted we have another new race leader – the third in three days. This time the change of leadership is permanent and Vincenzo Nibali will win the Giro again. Following tradition, Giro d’Italia Stage 21, like all Grand Tour finales is essentially a procession stage. There won’t be attacks until the race gets close to Torino and there is a 99% chance of a bunch sprint deciding the day.
The Route
The route today takes the riders in a northerly direction from Cuneo towards Torino. The stage is 163kms of essentially flay roads. The first 120kms will be fairly steady as the jersey winners take the acclaim of the peloton and media.
The stage will only really get exciting once the race approaches Torino. Today gives the sprinters that remain in the race their big opportunity to win a stage after the tough few days of mountain roads.
Of course everyone in the race is exhausted – the widening time gaps between riders in the last two days shows how tired many riders are. There aren’t many top sprinters left, those that are only have partial teams left due to riders withdrawing so the stage could throw up a surprise winner.
Who will contend for sprint glory in Torino?
Similar to 4 days ago there are two riders who stand out as overwhelming favourites – Giacomo Nizzolo (best price 2.62) and Sacha Modolo (4.75). I have backed Nizzolo twice already and he has finished 2nd on both occasions. The sprint teams got mugged by Roger Kluge in the last km on Stage 17. The teams just weren’t organised well enough and I feel we could see a similar outcome today.
There could be a first time Giro stage winner from the second tier of sprinters – Nikias Arndt, Alexander Porsev or Kristian Sbaragli. One of the fast strong men could also do a Kluge – riders such as Matteo Trentin, Daniel Oss and the old man Filippo Pozatto are amongst names who could feature.
In terms of betting this is really a crap-shoot today.
Giro d’Italia Stage 21 – Tips
I have no idea who will win todays stage – fatigue and a lack of team organisation mean anyone from about 20 riders could win. This is too large a pool for me to make a choice from. I would like to see Giacomo Nizzolo finally win a stage after going so close so many times but I feel he is destined to always be the bridesmaid and not the bride.
No Tips today.
Congratulations to all of the riders who have finished the race and the various classification winners.
Thank you for reading my stage previews. Look out for my regaulr cycling tips.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
