Giro 2021:- Stage 16: Sacile – Cortina d’Ampezzo 212 km **Spoilers**

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Stage 16: Sacile – Cortina d’Ampezzo 212 km

Monday, May 24th, 10.50 CEST

Rather unusually, the queen stage of this Giro takes place on a Monday. It has been nine years since the Giro last visited Cortina d’Ampezzo.



A long and proper dolomitic stage going over classic climbs, with over 5,500 m vertical altitude gain. Heading out from Sacile, the riders will encounter the first climb of the day after only 10 km.
However, once again, this stage has it's sting in it's tail, with a trio of classic Dolomiti climbs.
Also, the 17th stage of the 2012 Giro featured the same finale when ‘Purito’ Rodríguez took the uphill sprint in Cortina d’Ampezzo.



Technical Info:
After 10 kms, the riders encounter La Crosetta, (GPM1, 11.6 km at 7.1%) parcour that should suit the breakaway forming early, but presumably after a fierce battle: Sprinters beware!
After a technical and steep descent towards Lake Santa Croce, followed by a short climb along the slopes of the Nevegal, the course arrives in Belluno. The route then passes through Agordo up to Alleghe and Caprile, crossing the Val Cordevole upstream, for about 70 km, all slightly ascending. Before taking in the Passo Fedaia or Marmolada (GPM1, 14 km at 7.6%) , one of the most famous climbs in Italy. Normally, the peloton would usually use a small old road that goes through the stunning gorge of Sottoguda. Unfortunately, the road was wrecked by a flood a few years ago and has not been fully repaired yet, which means the peloton will ride above the gorge, on the modern road.
Past Malga Ciapela, the gradient hovers steadily above 12% for nearly 5 km, topping out at 18% at the ‑2 km mark (Capanna Bill). After dropping into Canazei, the route rises at a steady 6% gradient for 12 km along Passo Pordoi (Cima Coppi, 11.8 km at 6.8%).
A fast-running descent through Arabba and up to Selva di Cadore an uncategorized Colle S.Lucia, (2 km at 7.2%) leads to the foot of Passo Giau, (GPM1, 9.9 km at 9.3%)The top of Giau is at 16.5 km to the finish, and its descent, fairly technical, is 14.5 km long, entering urban Cortina, at 1,500 m out. Past the bridge over river Boite, the route rises at an easy 5% pitch, twisting all the way to the ‑300 m mark, where a left-hand bend leads into the home straight, on stone paving.

The Climbs:

La Crosetta: GPM1, 11.6 km at 7.1%



Passo Fedaia: GPM1, 14 km at 7.6%





Passo Pordoi: Cima Coppi, 11.8 km at 6.8%



Passo Giau: GPM1, 9.9 km at 9.3%





What to Expect:



The weather may play a crucial role in how this stage is played out, as it is forecast to be very wet, all day long. Given the route, expect a very large and strong breakaway to form, from which the winner of the stage may well emerge. However, a full on GC battle is assured and given that the finish is reached after a descent, the action may well be protracted. Expect the podium candidates to be clearly defined by the end of the day.

Favourites 16th stage 2021 Giro d’Italia

*** Egan Bernal, Simon Yates, Damiano Caruso
** Hugh Carthy, Romain Bardet, Aleksandr Vlasov, João Almeida, Giulio Ciccone, Vincenzo Nibali
* Daniel Martin, Pello Bilbao, Davide Formolo, George Bennett, Remco Evenepoel

Sacile
Sacile is an attractive city in the province of Pordenone, is the westernmost town of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. With a population of approximately 20,000 inhabitants on an area of 32.62km² at just 25m above sea level, it still keeps its appearance of a quiet, peaceful, people-friendly town.



Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a gem of sheer beauty in the middle of the Italian Alps.
Cortina was among the first Alpine destinations to host tourists, firstly explorers and scientists, then the royals and aristocrats of several countries; it kept evolving and transforming, remaining at the centre of the stage: Italy’s first Olympic Games in 1956, the Dolce Vita in the 60s and then the films and film stars, the sparkly 80s. It hosted the 2021 World Ski Championships and the Winter Olympics 2026 will take place here as well.





The traditional cuisine of Cortina d’Ampezzo reflects its location and history as a blend of Italian and Tyrolean flavours with genuine local products and a sprinkle of innovation.
Typical recipes and signature dishes like spätzle, barley soup, goulash, buckwheat cake, raspberry and gelato just to name a few, are made with home-grown products, freshly prepared by experienced hands.
One of the most traditional dishes are the canederli, Knödel in German.



One of the most famous drinks and cultural features made in the Ampezzo Valley is a potent spirit called grappa.
With roughly 40° alcohol, distilled from grapes, berries and even home-grown herbs such as juniper. There are countless variants of grappa, from the purest to the most intensely aromatised with fruit or local herbs.





"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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