Giro's Stelvio stage may be shortened due to bad weather

Stelvio print, Rob Jefferies auction

The Giro d'Italia's highest mountain stage to Passo Stelvio may be shortened if Italy's weather fails to cooperate. According to some weather reports, rain and freezing temperatures are expected for the run up to 2,757 metres this Saturday.

"Really?" Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) said after the stage yesterday when asked about the chance of bad weather. "I heard the opposite. I haven't thought of those scenarios."

Dan Lloyd (IG-Sigma Sport) told Cycling Weekly that when he did his test ride of the climb this week with Michael Barry (Sky), the two had to make their way through snow. The road is still closed from Bagni Nuovi, only two kilometres above Bormio and isn't due to be open until the day of the race. The other and more famous side, from Prato Stelvio will remain closed.

Temperatures for the pass on Saturday are currently forecasted at 4°C, wind chill at -1°C and with a chance of rain. If snow or bad weather did ruin the day, the organiser may be forced to finish the stage at Bormio 2000, where Damiano Cunego won in 2004.

The organiser and sources close to the race say that the stage should run as planned, 219 kilometres from Caldes. In addition to the 22.4-kilometre Stelvio, the 20th leg also climbs Passo del Tonale, Aprica, Teglio and Mortirolo.

Joaquin Rodriguez "wants to climb the Stelvio. He likes the climb and has a chance to make a bigger gap over Ryder," Katusha Sports Director Valerio Piva told Cycling Weekly. "Of course, he doesn't want to ride in the snow!"

Two years ago, weather threatened to spoil the Giro's passage over the nearby Gavia Pass. The organisers came out with three different routes in case of a needed, last-minute change. The Giro passed without problem, making its way on a road flanked by snow three metres high.

In 1975, the Giro d'Italia ended with a stage up the Stelvio in similar conditions (see video clip below).

Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news

Izagirre wins on Grand Tour debut

Cavendish silences Cipollini

Sky tightens grip on white jersey

Rodriguez versus Hesjedal in Giro title fight

Cavendish's Sky lead-out still on learning curve

Orica-GreenEdge to strengthen sprint train in Tour de France

Schleck struggles on with dislocated shoulder

Rodriguez up against more experienced rivals in Giro

Bak from worker to winner at the Giro

Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage and schedule

Giro d'Italai 2012 stage 13 live text coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 stage 12 live text coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 stage 10 live text coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 stage six live text coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 stage four live text coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports

Stage 16: Izagirre claims Basque breakaway victory

Stage 15: Rabottini takes tough win in Giro

Stage 14: Amador wins Giro's first high mountain stage as Hesjedal reclaims lead

Stage 13: Cavendish makes it three

Stage 12: Bak attacks to win

Stage 11: Ferrari wins Giro stage on ride to redemption

Stage 10: Rodriguez wins thrilling finale to take leadStage nine: Ventoso wins in Frosinone as Goss and Cavendish fall

Stage eight: Pozzovivo takes another Giro win

Stage seven: Hesjedal moves into Giro lead

Stage six: Rubiano solos to epic Giro stage win

Stage five: Cavendish bounces back for another stage win

Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead

Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash

Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning

Stage one: Phinney wins time trial

Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries

Stage 16 photo gallery

Stage 15 photo gallery

Stage 14 photo gallery

Stage 13 photo gallery

Stage 12 photo gallery

Stage 11 photo gallery

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Giro d'Italia 2012: Blogs

Charly Wegelius' Giro blog: Conserving energy for the final week

Charly Wegelius' Giro blog: Holding on to the lead

Charly Wegelius' Giro blog: Getting the team time trial right

Giro moto blog: Hurray for rest day

Giro moto blog: Stage 10

Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders

Giro d'Italia 2012 start list

Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide

Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule

Related links

Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview

Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.