2022 Giro d’Italia – Stage 6 Preview

By @EchelonsHub

A tricky sprint stage, it was exactly what we found in today’s stage of the Giro as the early climb in the stage was used to create damage, as Alpecin, Intermarché and Israel forced and mantained a high pace that collectively managed to eliminate Caleb Ewan and Mark Cavendish from contention from the stage win. Arnaud Démare was too, but he was brought back to the peloton and later on went on to take the stage win as he benefited from a strong leadout – his first win of the season, beating Fernando Gaviria and Giacomo Nizzolo. 

Positive: Démare taking an important win, jumping to the lead of the points classification. 

Negative: Ewan and Cavendish dropped in a climb that wasn’t overly hard, missing an opportunity and exposing a clear fragility. 

The Route

Mainland Italy, at last! It is in Callabria that stage 6 will take place, all day long along the ocean which will make for a nice and scenic ride. As for the riders, they will be able to relax if nothing weird takes place, a mostly flat day where the outcome should be decided in Scalea.

Personally, a sign of improving towards safety. Like two of the previous sprints, it doesn’t feature any dangerous sections in the final kilometers, which means that timing will be everything as the leadouts will be looking to save their legs for the very end where a bunch sprint should be inevitable.

The Weather

A small breeze front the west. It will be felt by the riders all day long, however it’s quite weak to make any serious impact. 

Breakaway chances: 1%

The same situation as the previous sprints, too many interests, stage is very easy and doesn’t really allow room for surprises in these conditions. 

The Favourites

Caleb Ewan – Today’s stage was a bad sign for Ewan. Not known to be a good rider in long ascents, but nevertheless it was a heavy crack which shows that there may be something underlying his performance – perhaps his opening day crash. Nevertheless, he has the pure speed and will on paper only have to do one big effort. If he gets a good position, surely he can take the stage win in such circumstances. 

Mark Cavendish – Quick-Step have the best leadout in this race surely, Cavendish will have the support of Davide Ballerini and Michael Morkov to have a run-up to the line which suits him well, and will be a big favourite to take his second win of the race. 

Arnaud Démare – The winner today, I won’t say that he’s the fastest in the race but as he’s shown, under the right circumstances he is still a winner. Groupama will carry motivation and less pressure to perform, and that may trigger more strong results. 

Additionally Fernando Gaviria, Giacomo Nizzolo, Biniam Girmay and Phil Bauhaus will be the main contenders. They have been consistent figures so far in the sprints, and are on paper those with the most speed that are able to contest a sprint of such level. 

As for outsiders, you could perhaps count on these names to battle for a win under the right circumstances,  but with no doubt to be in the battle for the first few places just as they have in the last few days: Mathieu van der Poel, Simone Consonni, Edward Theuns, Cees Bol, Alberto Dainese, Andrea Vendrame, Magnus Cort Nielsen and Vincenzo Albanese. 

Inside The Bus

This morning I talk to…

#111 Arnaud Démare – We’ve got another opportunity to win here Arnaud, so let’s celebrate but quickly get back to full focus. Full leadout, the guys will have the finale studied very well and what you have to do, and I stress this with maximum importance, is to follow they wheels to the very end. Only if you see Morkov and Cavendish come through should you move out, otherwise trust the guys. It will be a fast sprint, good for you, show your worth. 

#156 Michael Schwarzmann – This past day was far from good so let’s reorganize. You will have work to do in the final kilometers, before the final 2. Keep Roger and Rudiger in the wheel, and don’t be afraid to hit the wind. Caleb has problems with positioning, so we have to make sure he’s in a good position in the entrance of the final kilometer even if it means we have to burn a bit more energy – he will take it on from there. 

#186 Chris Juul-Jensen – Another flat day, and you will alongside Michael guide Simon through the stage. It should be a calm day, but towards the end we have enough guys to really push the pace and stay in the very front of the peloton. 

Prediction Time

⭐⭐⭐Ewan, Cavendish, Démare

⭐⭐Gaviria, Nizzolo, Bauhaus

⭐Girmay, van der Poel, Theuns, Vendrame, Theuns, Consonni

A very basic finish, nothing technical, nothing complicated. With this put, I expect the best leadout to deliver, and Cavendish to have the speed to bring a second win to the team. 

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Rúben Silva

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