Published on : 05/12/2022
After the 2nd consecutive bunch sprint on Thursday in Scalea, where Simone Consonni took 8th place, it is the climbers who will be awaited tomorrow with 4 490 meters of positive altitude difference to overcome along the 196 km long program between Diamente and Potenza.
Another sprint in this Giro! After the final of the day before in Messina, where Simone Consonni took 10th place, the scenario of this 6th stage was very similar to it with a long straight line in Scalea. This time, one man went alone and the Cofidis riders managed their effort in the peloton throughout the day. In the final, Simone Consonni was once again part of the final package. The Italian sprinter took the 8th place, his 3rd top 10 since the beginning of this Giro.
Four climbs and a great explanation expected
All eyes are now on the next stage and for good reason: it will be the most demanding of this Giro. Indeed, along the 199 km between Diamente and Potenza, four passes - two of 2nd category, one of 1st category and one of 3rd category - will be on the programme. In total, 4,490 meters of positive altitude difference on narrow roads will be on the programme. And in the final, it will be necessary to resist to the last 350 meters, which will be particularly difficult at an average of 8%!
Guillaume Martin, who was not so strong during the first mountain stage in Etna, will have to follow the road of the best riders. Rémy Rochas, Davide Villella and Anthony Perez will also be able to make their mark. The Cofidis team will have many cards to play in this stage full of promise.
THEY SAID
Guillaume Martin: "Today was one of the longest days of the Giro and maybe of my career. In any case one of the easiest. The whole peloton will be really fresh tomorrow for a stage that I hope will be more eventful. I hope to have better legs than in Etna and to be able to be opportunist to get a result.
Tomorrow it's a day where it goes up and down all the way to the end. A long stage that suits my qualities better. I would have preferred to ride a bit more today to tire out the organisms but tomorrow's stage will be quite hard anyway!"
Roberto Damiani, Directeur Sportif: "Today's stage was a long ride for the riders with a sprint finish as expected where Simone came in 8th. The sprint is getting better and better with Wesley and Davide being able to accompany Simone in the last kilometres and Guillaume still well protected.
Tomorrow, the riders will have to fight hard with 4500m of difference in altitude and roads that are not all in very good condition. These are three important stages for the general classification starting tomorrow. We will see more clearly on Sunday evening."