2013 Giro d'Italia - Stage 1 to Stage 9 Preview

The 96th Giro d'Italia will start in Naples on May 4th and finish in Brescia on the 26th. This year there are 23 teams competing and so the Giro will have a 207 rider peloton. All 18 UCI WorldTour teams are competing plus Katusha who won an appeal and 4 invitees. This years' teams are:  (Giro Contenders are in Brackets)

• AG2R-La Mondiale (Domencio Pozzovivo)
• Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela* (Franco Pellizotti)
• Argos-Shimano
• Astana (Vincenzo Nibali) 
• Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox*
• Blanco (Robert Gesink)
• BMC (Cadel Evans)
• Cannondale
• Columbia*
• Euskaltel-Euskadi (Sammy Sanchez)
• FDJ
• Garmin-Sharp (Ryder Hesjedal)
• Lampre-Merida(Michele Scarponi)
• Lotto-Belisol
• Movistar Team
• Omega Pharma-Quick Step
• Orica-GreenEDGE
• RadioShack-Leopard Trek
• Team Katusha
• Team Saxo-Tinkoff
• Team Sky (Bradley Wiggins)
• Vacansoleil-DCM
• Vini Fantini-Selle Italia*

* Pro Contential teams invited by race organisers

Stage 1

Naples - Naples 156km

No Prologue to start this years' Giro. Instead we have a short circuit stage, for stage 1. Perfect for the sprinters and a breakaway on this stage will most likely fail unless the get a lap up on the peloton. My tip for the stage is Mark Cavendish  to take the Magila rosa as this is a perfect stage for the sprinters.

Stage 2 (Team Time Trial)
Ischia - Forio 17.4km

Stage 2 is a short team time trial as like 2012 the time time trial has been chosen over Prologue as the time trial in the first week.. The Tour of Qatar is the only TTT that has had all the major teams this year so from that my pick would have to be Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

Stage 3
Sorrento - Marina di Ascea 212km

The first medium mountain stage of the Giro d'Italia.With two categorised climbs near the end of the stage. My pick for a stage win would be Pablo Urtasan.




Stage 4
Policastro Bussentino - Serra San Bruno 244km

Stage 4 has for the second day running two climbs right at the end of the route. The final climb is Crocce Ferrata, a 12.75km 5% climb, a perfect springboard for an attack from the likes of Sandy Casar and Giovanni Visconti. My tip for stage 4 is world champion Giovanni Visconti.

Stage 5

Cosenza - Matera 199km

Stage 5 is a very flat stage from Cosenza to Matera. It has two minor climbs but nothing to stop the sprinters' teams. My pick of the day is Matthew Goss.





Stage 6

Mola di Bari - Margherita di Savoia 154km

Another flat stage with slight undulations but nothing to serious a good day for the sprinters. My pick of the day is Mark Cavendish.








Stage 7
San Salvo - Pescara 162km

Stage 7 is a medium mountain stage with 4 categorised climbs in the latter kilometre's of the day perfect for the likes of Visconti and Casar. However my pick is for Cannondale rider Roberto Ferrari.




Stage 8 (Induvidual Time Trial)

Gabicce Mare - Saltara 55.5km

The First of two ITT's in this year's Giro is a very long 55.5km ride from Gabicce Mare to Saltara. It is a very flat course and is a challenging Time Trial. My tip of the day is for Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins.





Stage 9
Sansepolcro - Florence 181km

Stage 9 a medium mountain stage the first stage which will really separate the men from the boys. With 4 categorised climbs at 79km, 103km, 144km and 111km this stage is the first real test for the magila rosa contenders.This stage will be relevent for those who will be wanting to win the World Champs in September. My pick is for a breakaway win in the form of  Sergio Henao.