With the first rest day of the race over and done with, the Giro d'Italia kicks off again with another challenging day in the saddle as the riders tackle their third summit finish in 11 days.
Stage 10 brings the riders to the most southern point of the Giro, starting at Pompei with a 50km flat run before the hills begin. The stage heads north for the Apennines of northern Campania, with the first challenges of the day being a pair of unclassified hills including the first intermediate sprint.
The classified climbing begins after 76km with the start of the 6.1km, 7.8% climb to Camposauro, the first of two categorised climbs on the stage. The second-category climb peaks at 59.5km from the line on the 142km stage.
The Intergiro sprint at 104.8km poses another hilly challenge with an unclassified 5km climb before another sprint leading into the stage's main challenge – the 20.9km climb to the finish at Bocca della Selva.
The first-category climb averages out at 4.6% but that number is brought down by a flatter section at the start and two small descents on the way up. An early 7km section averages 6.1%, while the final 6.9km averages 7.2% and the maximum gradients reach up to 14% in places.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) is already looking comfortable in the race leader's pink jersey and his 2:40 lead over second-placed Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) is far more likely to be extended rather than troubled here.
The Slovenian could well add a fourth stage win to his collection if he and his team wish, or the day could be handed over to a breakaway. Behind Pogačar, the fight for the podium is a closer one, even if only four riders are within two minutes of Martínez.
Watch out for moves from riders including Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease A Bike), as well as the race's two best-placed Italians in Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) and Lorenzo Fortunato (Astana Qazastan).
With gaps already large at the top of the GC standings, could we see more daring moves on the long finishing climb as riders look to grab any chance available to claw back valuable time?
Stage 10 Sprints
- Intermediate sprint, km. 52.1
- Intergiro bonus sprint, km. 104.8
- Time bonus sprint, km. 121.4
Stage 10 Mountains
- Camposauro (cat. 2), km. 82.5
- Finish: Cusano Mutri (cat. 1), km. 142
