"I'm not really expecting it today" - Felix Gall doesn't foresee Giro d'Italia GC attacks in Stage 13 as mountains loom large

Felix Gall has played down a general classification raid during Friday's Giro d'Italia stage 13. Gall thinks that many of his pink jersey rivals will keep their legs fresh for Saturday's mountain stage, despite a steep ramp late in the course providing a potential attack launchpad for attacks from the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Giulio Pellizzari.

The Ungiasca climb tops with 13 kilometers of the stage to go, and at 4.7 kilometers long and an average of 7%, could be targeted as an opportunity for some general classification riders to get themselves a gap. What makes the climb particularly mouth-watering for those hoping to pounce, is the last 2.1 kilometers being at almost 10% gradient.

Breakaway is the word of the day at the Giro. It's a long mostly flat section before the 2.4 kilometer 5.7% average gradient Bieno climb is followed by Ungiesca and a descent run-in to the line - the perfect platform for a breakaway.

And Gall expects no fireworks behind, but knows he and his Decathlon CMA CGM team must be awake to any hazards. While admitting it's not the most difficult finale of the week so far, empasis will be on alertness.

"I think we already had quite tricky finals, I don't think today is the trickiest of them," Gall told Cycling Pro Net before Stage 13.

"We have to pay attention, but I think so far we've managed it well. We've a really strong team here. I think I myself have progressed in this race already, and we as a team too, to make sure we're not caught off guard in the back of the bunch."

Saturday's 14th stage to Pila is in the back of Gall's mind. With multiple long climbs and a category one mountain-top finish to contend with, Gall finds comfort in recent days that have saw little GC action as he tries to zone in on Stage 14.

"Tomorrow is a big GC day, that's for sure. Today should be normally a big fight for the breakaway and then the break goes for the stage. I think there were a few opportunities for GC teams already the last days where nobody has tried anything."

He added: "I'm not really expecting it today, but of course you have to be there, switched on and focused. We're going to see the action tomorrow, I think".

Grand Tour legs have certainly set in for many in peloton as fatigue builds. With the weather improving and some tired riders in the bunch, Gall thinks this plays in his favour even though the transition is difficult on the body.

"I think now after yesterday, and in just in the bunch, and how the race unfolded, you can feel and tell that we're in a Grand Tour in the second week," Gall said.

"Everybody's a little tired now. I feel a bit of fatigue in the body now also. It's getting quite hot, which I like but still it's a bit of a change for the body."