Stage 18 | Thursday, 25 May | Oderzo - Val di Zoldo (Palafavera) | 161 kilometres
From the coastal areas, the riders head back into the mountains. On the way north, the peloton faces another 1st category climb after 25 kilometres. The climb to the Passo della Crosetta is just under twelve kilometres long, with an average ascent of more than seven per cent. After the top of the pass, the day calms down at first, only to have another difficult finale in store.
And that starts just 40 kilometres before the finish of the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023. That's when the climb to the second one of the day, the Passo Cibiana, begins. A gradient of just under eight per cent awaits for around ten kilometres. Sections of up to 15 per cent have to be mastered both at the start and two kilometres before the summit.
Once the highest point of the day has been reached, the route descends into the Val di Zoldo, where the last two category 2 climbs take place. The first of these in Coi is a total of six kilometres long. The last three and a half are particularly difficult, with a gradient of up to 19 and an average of 10.6 per cent. Afterwards, the route briefly descends again before the final climb leads up to Palafavera for a good two kilometres. Here, too, the gradient is up to ten per cent.
Sporting assessment of the 18th stage
Although only 161 kilometres long, 3700 metres in altitude have to be covered. The stage includes two flat sections and only slightly ascending sections. In other words: the rest is quite steep. And that is the big challenge of the day.
This should be particularly favourable to the lightweight mountain goats. This applies above all to the South Americans. And as they are all already well behind in the overall standings of the 2023 Giro d'Italia, long attacks are the most likely scenario for victory. Riders like Einer Rubio (Movistar) or Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious). However, the day also offers opportunities to lose or make up a lot of time in the overall standings. In the first real battle between the favourites on Monte Bondone, Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) are the strongest riders. They are just as likely to win the 18th stage as Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).
Schedule, TV coverage & live stream of the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023
Although it won't be an easy stage, it will start relatively late due to its brevity with a neutralised start at 12:20. After 5.8 neutral kilometres, average speeds of between 32 and 36 km/h are expected, meaning that the best riders will finish between 16:56 and 17:36.
Eurosport will broadcast all stages of the Giro d'Italia 2023. The 18th stage will be shown free-to-air on Eurosport 1 from 12 noon. Including post-stage coverage, the broadcast will run until 17:45. The paid providers GCN+ and Discovery+ will also be showing a live stream on the internet from 12 noon.
Giro d'Italia 2023 - Stage 18: The most important information at a glance
- Mountain stage with mountain finish over 161 kilometres
- Start of the stage: 12:20 pm
- Estimated arrival time: between 16:56 and 17:36
- TV broadcast: 12:00 - 17:45 Eurosport 1
- Live stream: GCN+ and Discovery+ from 12 noon
