With a lumpy run in to the line in Fiuggi, RadioShack sprinter Robbie McEwen has said that he believes that stage six of the Giro will be contested by a breakaway group.
“This is hardly a flat stage. It says in the book that it is one of the flatter stages, but there is quite a lot of climbing to be done, especially in the final,” he told VeloNation minutes before the start of the stage in the stunning PiazzaDuomo. “There is a three and a half K climb followed by a five K climb, a false flat and then an extra drag up to the finish. I think a group could possibly stay away if there aren’t guys who are dangerous for the GC.”
“I don’t even know if Lampre will ride for Petacchi today because of the mountain stage tomorrow. It really favours a break.”
McEwen said that there is also a chance that a group of big riders could fight it out for the win, but said that it would be no more than 80 riders. “It won’t even be half the bunch [in that case],” he predicted. “But I am tipping more towards a probable breakaway.”
The Australian sprinter has taken a total of twelve stages in the race during his career, and would like to add another to that tally. It won’t be today, he admits. “I’m honestly not too optimistic about my chances today…there is too much uphill.”