POLSA, Italy – Giro d'Italia organisers have made plans to start the race's 19th stage on an alternative route as wintry weather conditions continue to play havoc with the course.
On the first of two consecutive days in the Dolomite mountains Friday, the peloton was due to tackle two major mountain passes - the Gavia and the Stelvio, the latter, at 2,758 metres, being the highest point of the 96th edition.
However as road workers battled to clear snow and ice from both mountain passes amid fears the peloton could be forced to ride in temperatures as low as minus 14 degrees Celsius, an alteractive course was announced.
It will still start in Ponte di Legno but now take the peloton over the Tonale mountain pass (1,883m) with the second climb being the Passo Castrin (1,706m). The 22.4 km climb to Val Martello, which featured on the original stage profile, is the third and last climb on the stage and will host the stage finish.
At 160 km long, the stage is 21 km longer than the original. However the two new mountain passes, on paper, appear easier than either the Gavia or the Stelvio.
Italian Vincenzo Nibali took a giant step towards his maiden Giro d'Italia triumph on Thursday by winning a 20.6 km uphill time trial that was hit by torrential rain.
Australian rival Cadel Evans began the day only 1min 26sec behind the Italian, but the 2011 Tour de France champion flattered to deceive on his way to a 25th place at 2:36 behind which leaves him 4:02 in arrears. – Sapa-AFP