Fast, rolling and technical, the opening 9.7-kilometre time trial of the 2018 Giro d'Italia could produce an unexpected winner and first maglia rosa, not to mention causing more damage than expected amongst the overall contenders.
The 22 teams in Jerusalem will no doubt hold lengthy backroom debates in the next couple of days about this year's opening individual time trial, with riders needing to carry out detailed reconnaissance rides during Friday morning's training window on the route and then careful warm-up so they are ready to go when they roll down the start ramp.
Although it is only a little over the required eight-kilometre maximum that stops it being defined as a prologue, this year's opening Giro cronometro has more than enough ingredients to immediately shake up the race.
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Cyclingnews analysed the route on Wednesday while the roads of Jerusalem were still open to traffic.
18 corners and countless changes in direction
The 9.7-kilometre course is mostly on broad, open streets, with no cobbled sections or sharp corners through narrow city centre streets. However, appearances can be deceptive, and the 18 or so corners, countless smaller changes in direction and constantly undulating course mean the odds of pure time trialling specialists such as former world champions Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin) or Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) winning on Friday are limited.
Bike and gear selection will be decisive
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/giro-ditalia-time-trial-analysis-not-one-for-the-power-specialists
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