Giro d’Italia Stage 3 will be a repeat of stage 2. There will be lots of similarities:
- The same two cities feature as the start and end points with a reverse of yesterday as the start is in Nijmegen and finish in Arnhem;
- The course is 190kms again;
- There will be a breakaway that will fail;
- The stage will end in a sprint finish;
- The same rider will be the stage winner.
The one difference – there will be a new wearer of the Maglio Rosa.
The route
Like yesterday, the route is almost completely flat. There will be a breakaway, probably in the first 40kms and they will be allowed to build a lead of 5-6 minutes and then slowly reeled back in as the sprinters teams control the peloton.
The finish itself is relatively straight forward with a 2.5km lead in from the last turn. This will be fast and frenetic.
The two intermediate sprints at 93km and 125km plus the King of the Mountains high point at 135kms will provide some interest but expect the breakaway to hoover up most of the points on offer.
The Overwhelming Favourite (and the challengers)
I suggested that Marcel Kittel would win Stage 2 yesterday but felt he couldn’t be backed because his price was too short. Well guess what? His price is even shorter today.
He moved away from the front of the bunch with ease yesterday winning in a style similar to Cippolini or Cavendish. Etixx-Quick-Step were perfect in their sprint preparation and I think it is highly likely Kittel wins again today.
Andre Greipel never featured in the expected German sprint shootout. he was never in position to contend and his Lotto Soudal team will trying to do better today.
Our selection yesterday, Giacomo Nizzolo picked up 4th in each of the Intermediate Sprints and has said he is aiming to win the Sprinters Red Jersey. He finsihed 10th yesterday with was a disappointment but he had little to no help from his team. The overhead shots of the last km show one Trek-Segafredo rider in support! As the bunch reached the final turn Nizzolo was in about 30th place. To reach the top 10 was actually quite an achievement. He has the speed to contend – but as with the rest of the field for 2nd place.
The only value I can find today is in the ‘head-to-head’ stage betting. Caleb Ewen (7th yesterday) vs Andre Greipel (15th) looks interesting with both rider at 1.83 but I prefer to re-select yesterdays choice.
Tips
Back Giacomo Nizzolo to beat Elia Viviani (finished 13th yesterday) in the head-to head for a 2.5/10 stake at 2.10 with Paddy Power.
Bet here:
