The calm before the storm

After a few days in the assembly, the 17th stage of the Giro, between Pergine Valsugana and Caorle (197 kilometers), should allow the sprinters to shine again in Italy.

While the mountain has been on the program for this 106th edition of the Tour of Italy in recent days and will still liven it up before Sunday’s arrival in Rome, there is room for a little respite this Wednesday for the 128 elements that still make up the peloton. In effect, this 17th stage of the Giro should allow the riders, who have not been spared lately, to take a short break before a last very big sequence, from Thursday to Saturday. While it will start from the Alps, precisely from Pergine Valsugana, the latter will arrive in the streets of Caorle, nicknamed “Little Venice”, after 197 kilometers of effort. This flat stage will take place on a road that gradually descends towards the shores of the Adriatic Sea and will be made up of two intermediate sprints, in Rosa (located at km 96) and in Lido di Jesolo (about 30 km from the finish ). A profile which should therefore allow sprinters to shine this Wednesday.

📅 05/24/2023
🚴‍♂️ Internship 1️⃣7⃣ | Tappa 1️⃣7⃣
⭐️ Pergine Valsugana – Caorle
📏 197km
⏰ Start | Departure: 12.45 PM
🏁 Arrival | Arrival: ~ 5.00 PM
📺https://t.co/yQ4U00ZS4q
🇬🇧🇮🇹🇪🇸🇫🇷 Live: https://t.co/tqghZqUgWY #giro #GirodItalia… pic.twitter.com/BSWDFOhPFN
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 24, 2023

A golden opportunity for Cavendish?

Indeed, the day after the victory of the Portuguese Joao Almeida at Monte Bondone and before three stages expected in the mountains to conclude this Giro, the favorites will logically stay warm within the peloton. As in Rome, next Sunday during the 21st and last stage of the Tour of Italy, the contenders for the cyclamen jersey will therefore have plenty of time to put themselves on the front of the stage between Pergine Valsugana and Caorle. Currently in possession of this outfit, the Italian Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious) could see his lead in the standings grow even further if successful this Wednesday. However, for the occasion, the German Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) and the Briton Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan), who will retire at the end of the season, will be watched very, very closely. One thing is certain, it may rub in the last meters between the different candidates for victory.