Stage six – Caltanissetta to Mount Etna

As the race did in 2017, the 2018 Giro d’Italia will come to life with Mount Etna hosting the first summit finish, this time on stage six.

The Giro will kick off with a time trial in Jerusalem, before two flat Israeli stages for the sprinters and two Sicilian stages for the rouleurs.

Then it’s the turn of the climbers, with a lumpy stage concluding with the 30km ascent of Etna – with the most notable change compared to last year being the fact the finish line will be at the Astrophysical Observatory.

Last year sorted the men from the boys, though the key GC contenders were still relatively close together overall – it remains to be seen if any rider will look to steal an early advantage in the 101^st Giro.

Stage 14 – San Vito al Tagliamento to Monte Zoncolan

Cycling fans will have stage 14 marked on their calendars – on Saturday May 19 – as it heralds the return of Monte Zoncolan to the Giro d’Italia.

– Sixteen of the toughest climbs in professional cycling –

First used in 2003, this will be just the fifth time the mythical climb has returned and it will do so on the west side from Ovaro – one of the toughest climbs in pro cycling.

The bare statistics tell their own story – 10.1km at an average gradient of 11.9 per cent and eye-watering pitches of up to 22 per cent along the way.

There is a thigh-numbing section from around 8km to go, through to the 2km-to-go mark, where the average is nearer 15 per cent – and that’s before you factor in the passionate tifosi.

Resurgent Michael Rogers soloed to victory on the climb when it last featured in 2014, but Francesco Bongiorno will forever wonder what might have been when an over-enthusiastic roadside spectator forced him to unclip as he chased victory alongside the veteran Aussie.

Stage 15 – Tomezzo to Sappada

If the Zoncolan hasn’t totally sapped the reserves of the peloton, then stage 15 will go a long way to doing so – four Dolomites giants feature, over the course of 176km racing.

The Passo della Mauria, Passo Tre Croci, Passo di Sant’Antonio and Costalissoio must all be climbed on a stage offering little let-up before the final ascent to Sappada.

The latter two climbs both peak within 30km of the finish line, too, so expect plenty of attacking on the climbs and descents as the key GC contenders look to steal some time before the second and final rest day.

Stage 19 – Venatia Reale to Bardonecchia

Stage 19 kicks off  the final weekend in style, with the Cima Coppi – the highest climb of the race – at the heart of the stage.

This year that honour falls to the Colle delle Finestre, and it’s not just the height (2,178m) to concern the peloton but, of course, it’s gruelling gradients and 8km of gravel road to the top.

The Finestre is 18.6km long, with an average gradient of 9.1 per cent and a maximum pitch of 14 per cent, and there’s added difficulty in the rough surface on the top slopes.

And, when it’s been climbed, the peloton will still have 71km to race, including an ascent of Sestriere and the final steep Jafferau climb – the latter barely dropping below ten per cent gradient all the way up.

Stage 20 – Susa to Cervinia

Having experiment with a final stage time trial in 2017, which saw Tom Dumoulin claim victory on the final day, the Giro d’Italia has reverted to a processional finale in 2018 – this time in Rome.

That means stage 20 serves up the final chance for gains – and realistically to snatch the maglia rosa – and it will be well worth the wait.

Whoever starts the stage in the maglia rosa will have their resolve tested on a back-loaded 214km stage, which features three massive climbs packed into the final 85km.

The Col du Mont-Tseuc kicks off proceedings, with a particularly relentless final third to the 16km climb, before the Col St.Pantaleon must be negotiated.

Again, the steepest sections are towards the top, before a rapid descent and then the final climb to Cervinia, which peaks at 2,001m.

Whoever finishes the day on the pink jersey podium will be a worthy winner – but will it be Froome?