Chris Froome is hoping for an upturn in fortunes on tomorrow’s climb of the infamous Monte Zoncolan at the Giro d’Italia.
Speaking on the eve of Saturday’s gruelling 186km day in the saddle, Froome, who sits 12th overall, 3’20” back on leader Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) after 13 stages, declared it a decisive stage.
“I’m hoping for better than I’ve had so far in the race on the climbs. I’ve been feeling better and better as the race has gone on and less impact from the injuries I had before the race.
“Tomorrow is obviously a very decisive stage, a brutal final up Zoncolan, and we can definitely expect some big gaps on GC tomorrow, one way or another.”
Froome reccied the Zoncolan climb in April, riding the famous slopes for the first time since 2010, and he hopes that will help him pace his effort tomorrow.
“It’s always good to have in your mind what’s coming up,” he explained, “and to know exactly what you’re up against.
“The last time I rode the climb was over eight years ago and mentally now I know what I’m up against and I’ll be able to picture different parts of the climb – knowing when to push on and when not to will be really important.
“Also, knowing the rest of the stage before the final climb tomorrow, because it’s a tough little stage.”
“Obviously everyone is looking at Tom [Dumoulin] at the moment, Tom’s the virtual leader with the time trial to come, so I think a lot of people want to get time on him still and I imagine Simon [Yates] will be looking to do just that.
“It’s hard to say what’s going to happen, of course it’s going to be a GC battle – that goes without saying. But it will be interesting to see which teams are going to make the pace and which teams are going to do what.
“For me it’s going to be all about seeing how the legs are in the final and take it from there.”
