Stage 6

The 6th stage of the Giro d'Italia is a mountainous race. The route between Grotte di Frasassi and Ascoli Piceno is 160 kilometres long and features 3,400 vertical metres.

The race kicks off near the Grotte di Frasassi, which is one of the largest karst cave systems in Europe. The Giro travels south on rolling terrain and the first proper climb appears just before the midway marker. The Forca di Gualdo is 10.4 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 7.4%.

After a short descent, a punchy climb, and another short descent the route returns to climbing, albeit at moderate gradients. Forca di Presta is 6.2 kilometres long and averages 3.7%

A downhill of 40 kilometres leads to Ascoli Piceno, which is situated at an elevation of 153 metres. The medieval town lies at the confluence of two rivers and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. The riders tackle the San Giacomo, a 15.5 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 6.1%. The last kilometres before the finish go up at almost 8%.

The finish climb was included once before in the Giro d’Italia. In 2002 the Julio Alberto Pérez Cuapio climbed to victory on San Giacomo. The Mexican also took the KOM jersey that year.

The second intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds, while time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds are awarded to the first three riders on the line.

The 6th stage of the Giro d’Italia starts at 12.45 and the race is expected to finish around 17.15 – both are local times (CEST).