Wow! What an incredible Giro d'Italia it has been so far. So many classic stages. For me it has been the most enjoyable grand tour I can remember and I've watched a few.
Today's 178km penultimate stage from Bormio to Ponte di Legno should be no excepetion. All the riders will be trying to muster all their powers of recovery after yesterday's grueling stage over the Mortirolo. The profile for today's stage would make many a grown man weep but those exhausted bodies must try as hard as they can to race up and conquer the mighty Passo di Gavia, the Cima Coppi (highest point) in this years Giro at 2618 metres.
Actually the director of the Giro d'Italia, Angelo Zomegnan, will make a decision shortly on whether the race will indeed pass over the Gavia today since we know that snow ploughs have had to cut a path through heavy banks of snow. On top of that there have been two landslides on the Forcola di Livigno climb although authorities have given the go ahead to allow the race to pass over it.
The Giro was decided on the Gavia back in 1988 when Andy Hampsten won the overall. Will Ivan Basso be able to hold onto the Maglia Rosa or will it be mercilessly ripped from his shoulders by another of the contenders? Today all will become clear!
Below is a clip, to wet the appetite, from back in 88 and that legendary stage over and down the Gavia.
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