The Event
The Giro dell'Emilia, a late season one-day race held annually in Emilia-Romagna, and something for those who are already having withdrawals to get their teeth stuck into.
The Route (Profile from La Flamme Rouge)
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A unique one for just the one-day event, as the profile shows. It starts and finishes in Bologna-San Luca. The road rises from the start of the route and there’s the first listed climb less than 20kms in – a 2km hike to Mongardiono which is 7%.
There’s then a descent and things get calmer for a while before one of the key features of the race. The Passo Brasimone, 19.8km at 3%., It is the sort of climb that one would see in a Grand Tour stage, and will wear down the legs of many contenders, still coming early into the race – it tops out less than 100km into the day. After a long descent, the peloton will pass through Marzabotto, where the climb of Valico Ganzole.
That is 2.3km at 8.7% and then flat before the finishing circuit.
The Circuit
Consists of five laps around San Luca, and each time the peloton have to tackle the infernal finishing climb of San Luca. At 2.1km at 10%, with a maximum of 18%, it is explosive and it also serves as the finishing line too after four previous ascents. The middle section is hardest, where the gradients hit 18%.
The Tactics
The big names here will try to get as many riders into the peloton coming onto the laps of San Luca. The number of ascents rewards attackers who go long, especially with short circuit distances after a long, long race.
The Winner
Will be a powerful and punchy climber and an excellent descender. A strong team helps a great deal.
The Contenders
Esteban Chavez won this last year after the Vuelta and whilst he didn’t do as well this time around (finished in 11th) he did at least finally show form after a wretched year and he comes here with one of the strongest units in the race as Orica send Adam Yates, Jack Haig, Damien Howson, Roman Kreuziger, Ruben Plaza and Carlos Verona. With Jens Keukeleire there to control early gaps, their aim is clear.
Team Sky almost have too many options, but the incredible form of Gianni Moscon and home roads are likely to make him the chosen favourite. He may have gotten into some trouble with the commissaries after a big towing at the Worlds, but he rode impressively nevertheless over a course that in the end wasn’t quite hard enough for him. With Diego Rosa, Sebastián Henao, Ian Boswell, Salvatore Puccio, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Kenny Elissonde, Sky have plenty of potential winners so they will enjoy lighting the race up.
Rigoberto Uran has had a great season and this is likely to be perfect for him too. His strong showing in San Sebastian – along with a fine one day record – shows his suitability and we can see that he’s got support with Davide Fomolo, Michael Woods and Tom-Jelte Slagter all there.
Vincenzo Nibali cracked ribs on the last stage of the Vuelta, so did well to hold onto second. His form might be an unknown here, with Lombardia a week away. However, if on top form, he would fancy his chances of a big showing.
Fabio Aru was second in 2016 here and knows his way around the circuit, but he did also run out of energy after riding the Tour and Vuelta in the final week and it remains to be seen where he’s at as well. Diego Ulissi took this in 2-013 and put in a fine shift for Italy during the Worlds. Back for his trade team, he has freedom to go again and he caught the eye after a less hectic end to the year than many.
The freshest rider in the field might be Thibaut Pinot, the Frenchman who hasn’t been seen since the 71st Grand Prix d'Isbergues. He hasn’t raced a stage race since the Tour d’Lain, but this and Lombardia could be the best way to end his season and he will love the steep slopes.
