about to reach the equator of 105 Italy tourthe ninth stage will take the peloton from Isernia to the top of the Blockhaus in the heart of the Apennines and in which cyclists must overcome the 191 kilometers of route a total of 5,000 meters of unevenness in a day that should clarify the general classification.
After the finish on Etna, in the fourth stage, which served the Spanish Juan Pedro López (Trek Segafredo) to dress in pink, the final ascent to the Blockhaus, with 13.7 kilometers of ascent at 8.5% on average and at least five kilometers above 10%will be where the main favorites will have to test themselves and their rivals.
The Blockhaus is presented as a good opportunity, as happened on Etna, to leave knocked out one of those who started in Budapest with the favorite band to the pink jersey final.
Prior to the Blockhaus, the platoon will pass through four other portsthe last of the first category, the Passo Lanciano with 10.5 kilometers at 7.4%.
The start of stage will be very demanding and in front of the first ramps of the rediscovered Valico del Macerone, which will be followed, practically without rest, by those of Rionero Sannitico and then Roccaraso, with only 38 kilometers covered. A long undulating section in a slight descent will take the peloton to the foot of Passo Lanciano, along the Pretoro slope, which will be chained with the final ascent to the Blockhaus.
Los Final 13 kilometers are all uphill on a narrow road with numerous hairpin bends. For almost 10 km the slope remains above 9% with peaks of up to 14%.
At this stage comes the Spanish Juan Pedro López (Trek-Segafredo) leading the general classification for the fourth consecutive day, ahead of German Lennard Känma, by 38 seconds. Third was Estonian Rein Taaramäe (Intermarché) in 58, fourth was Briton Simon Yates in 1:42 and fifth was Belgian Mauri Vansevenant in 1:47.
