The sprinters are set to have another opportunity. Stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia is completely flat from start to finish and we preview a day that is certain to end in a bunch sprint - although the threat of crosswinds is alive.
Stage 13 is the flattest day of the race with no doubt. The 179 kilometers between Riccione and Centro will pass by quite quickly for sure, without a single hilltop on the day to slow down the riders or be a serious challenge to a possible bunch sprint.
Hence, there is very little to take a look at. The wind is also unlikely to play a role in this day through Emilia-Romagna, and all eyes will be on the final sprint in Cento. This will not be an easy one...
Already with 3 kilometers to go the riders will be in Pieve di Cento with a few urban corners where the peloton will stretch, there will be a fight for positioning to this location. Then in the final city, there is a meaningful chicane with 1.5 kilometers to go, a sequence of corners that will be key for positioning. Recovering positions now will be complicated as the riders will do some slight turns all the way into the final 500 meters.
Only then is the run-up to the line straightforward, but the riders have only a few seconds before the final sprint. A fast and furious sprint awaits us as the peloton comes fresh off an easy day on the bike.
The Weather
Heat, and the wind will blow from the mountains - the southwest. This means crosswinds will be in place, in what is a completely flat plain. The final kilometers it will not be strong, but throughout the day there will be sections that will be dangerous and create tension in the peloton. It will be an interesting day.
The Favourites
Jonathan Milan - Nothing too detailed is necessary to explain. Milan is the strongest sprinter in the race, that is unanimous. He used to have problems with positioning but over the past sprints that hasn't been seen and Lidl-Trek have a great leadout. Win number 3 would not be a surprise.
Tim Merlier - Merlier was a very tough contender for Milan in the past sprint and he has seemingly recovered from his injuries already. The Belgian will love the lack of climbs and difficulties in the day. In a pure sprint with a slight tailwind, the Belgian can surely be threatening to just about any sprinter in the peloton.
Kaden Groves is the obvious candidate for the win outside of those two, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has been close on two occasions and he has been looking at his best. Certainly, he could be a match under the right conditions. The likes of Phil Bauhaus, Caleb Ewan and Juan Sebastián Molano have also shown this on a few occasions, and are on paper small candidates for a win.
As for outsiders we will have other sprinter who are seeking results - but a podium is the best they can realistically achieve. Davide Ballerini, Danny van Poppel, Laurence Pithie, Stanislaw Aniolkowski, Madis Mihkels, Fernando Gaviria, Tobias Lund Andresen, Giovanni Lonardi, Alberto Dainese and Enrico Zanoncello are in this list.
Prediction Giro d'Italia 2024 stage 13:
*** Jonathan Milan, Tim Merlier
** Kaden Groves, Phil Bauhaus
* Davide Ballerini, Danny van Poppel, Laurence Pithie, Caleb Ewan, Giovanni Lonardi, Juan Sebastián Molano, Alberto Dainese
Pick: Jonathan Milan
Regione Piemonte will host the Grande Partenza of the Giro d'Italia 2024! Opening stage on 4 May with start in Venaria Reale. La Regione Piemonte ospiterà la Grande Partenza 2024! Si parte il 4 maggio da Venaria Reale. 👇Thread 👇 #Giroditalia #GrandePartenza @regionepiemonte
