
Sunday brings a different test for the riders at the Giro d'Italia - gravel. Stage nine will contain five gravel sectors made famous in Strade Bianche, with the finish in the Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena. The finish comes atop the Via Santa Caterina, with gaps very much expected.
The key to success on the tough 181km gravel stage - including more than 2,500 metres of elevation gain - will be keeping calm and carrying on, no matter the circumstances, Bahrain Victorious' Pello Bilbao has said.