It’s one of thehardest climbs in pro cycling, and is iconic to what makes the Giro d’Italia the world’s ‘most beautiful’ race. Il Mortirolo is the centrepiece of tomorrow’s Stage 16 and the first really big mountain day of therace. At almost 13km long and 11% average grade – this one’s a killer, but a must -ride for any self-respecting fan. Here’s how it looks on the bike. PEZ-Fans – let’s set the stage for tomorrow’s 174km day from Pinzolo to Aprica. It was here in 1994 that Marco Pantani won his second high mountain stage of that Giro and stepped onto thestage of cycling’s truly great climbers. The slopes are so steep that even the great Miguel Indurain struggled in his battle with Evgeni Berzin as Pantani left them behind. My first time riding it was like nothing I’d ever done before – the unrelenting >10% grades reduced me to stopping, even walking in some spots, and when it was over I had to think twice about whether I’d ever repeat that kind of torture. But I went back again in 2010 to ride the climb ahead of the day’s stage, and while it remained a torturous affair, I survived to tell the tale again – and even have fond memories – (the mind is funny that way…) Take a minute to soak in those grades – look at the middle 5km… dastardly enough to push you right to the edge, but just doable with a 39×28. Stage 16 of the2015 Giro...
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