Peloton may be forced up feared Mortirolo a second time to avoid Hampsten-esque scenes
Snowy conditions on the Passo di Gavia may mean an alternative route is necessary for Saturday’s penultimate stage, according to the Giro’s own website giroditalia.it. The 2618m pass is set to be the last big climb before the uphill finish to Ponte di Legnano and will be the Giro’s highest point where the race organiser traditionally awards the Cima Coppi prize to the first rider over the top. There are currently between 4 and 6 metres of snow at the top of the pass right now, although the road itself is clear; and with more snow on the way possible, the race organisers have been forced to come up with an alternative route should it be needed.
The alternative route would leave Bormio in the same way as planned, but continue to Aprica and then take on the Passo del Mortirolo from the north west. This would be a first for the Giro as the race has only ever taken the “Mortirolo Classico” route up the fearsome climb before. The route would then continue to Monno before tackling the final climb to the finish in Ponte di Legno.
The Gavia in snow provided one of the Giro’s most iconic images in 1988, as Andy Hampsten rode over the climb in a blizzard to take the leader's jersey and go on to be the first, and so far only, American to win the race. Race organisers are, unfortunately some say, much more reluctant to allow stages to run under such conditions now.
Organisers will decide tomorrow whether or not they will need to use the alternative route, but the road up to the Gavia is currently “tutto ok”.