Where: Montecatini Terme to Firenze, Italy

When: September 28

How: 140 km including 5 climbing laps in Firenze.

It will most likely be gruppo compatto all the way to Firenze. The bombs start going off on the first of five climbing circuits. The strongest will stay near the front, with each circuit the pretenders will fall away. Sprinters and time trialists should stay at home. What should be left are the cunning, strong and a good descender or two. The finish is after the descent of the 5th climbing circuit so a regrouping of the last hard women could happen. Or not, it could unfold in a completely different way. I can’t help you. The start list can help you. And to add some confusion, here is another start list link. Lady luck or a sacrifice to the correct god may help you. I lament the lack of a ladies Vuelta so we would really know who was going to be there in the end.

If teamwork is helpful here, Australia and Italy have the largest squads. This course should produce an exciting race so find a good streaming video or stand on the side of the road in Firenze and shout your brains out. Bon chance to all.

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