Stage 4: Catanzaro › Praia a Mare – 200km
The first Italian stage of the Giro d’Italia gets underway Tuesday. It’s a lumpy affair of around 200 kilometers, with a pair of Cat. 3 climbs and an up-and-down (though uncategorized) finale. The parcours makes this stage a tough one to predict—it might be too difficult for the pure sprinters, but it’s not so challenging as to completely rule them out. The early breakaway will have a shot at staying clear here as well.
I see a reduced sprint as the most probable outcome, making the punchy types prime candidates for success. Diego Ulissi looked strong in the Ardennes this year and almost always performs well in his home Grand Tour. He has a very fast finish and won’t be troubled by the climbs.
Alejandro Valverde may find this stage to his liking as well, for the same reasons.
Sonny Colbrelli, a surprise 3rd in the Amstel Gold Race, should be in top shape for the Giro and is well-suited to the finale. The same could be said for Matteo Trentin, who doesn’t have that many opportunities to ride for his own results, but very often delivers when he does get the chance.
Of course, Trentin’s teammate Marcel Kittel might make it to the finish, in which case he’d be a heavy favorite for the sprint. The slightly more versatile Arnaud Démare might be a better bet. He can handle a few climbs. So can Giacomo Nizzolo—this could be his big chance to finale nab a Giro stage win.
Tim Wellens is another name to keep an eye on here. He could find the profile perfect for one of his characteristic long-range attacks.
VeloHuman Stage 4 Favorites
1. Diego Ulissi | 2. Marcel Kittel | 3. Sonny Colbrelli