Paul Rogen and Andrew Ward, of Thomson Bike Tours, take a look at the key stages and defining moments of the last week of the 2010 Giro d'Italia - probably the toughest week on the 2010 professional calendar!

The 2010 edition of the Giro returns to a standard loop through the southern part of Italy and ends in a glorious paroxysm of torture in the Dolomites.  The key stages of the 2010 Giro d'Italia start on the Zoncolan and finish on Passo Gavia 7 days later and are sure to produce some of the most exciting Grand Tour racing in 2010.  In between the mountain boys will also cross the Mortirolo, the Gavia and Fedaia.   In case you have not looked them up, they have lots of plus 10 percent gradients.  Let's not even think about the snow; that is just there for backdrop and cooling purposes.

Always challenging and always with its unique flavour, the 2010 Giro d'Italia will be no exception and the last few days follow a breathtaking roller coaster route which quite possibly is the best week of cycle racing in terms of course and cols that Thomson Bike Tours has seen for a long time at the Giro and which they will use as their focus for our Giro KOM package. 

2010 Giro d'Italia - The Key Stages:

Stage 15: Mestre to Monte Zoncolan

Race defining moment: In the final couple of kilometres of the Zoncolan there is a section of road at 18% which will have most riders wondering why they bothered and a select few praying they can keep any losses to a minimum. This will be the day when the lightweight climbing purists may steal a march but don't expect a sprint finish!

I think we need to look up how Popo did that year.  Well, at least it did not kill him.  He is still riding for Lance Armstrong last we saw!

Stage 16: San Vigilio to Plan de Corones (Time trial)

Race defining moment: Watch Alberto Contador fighting up the last couple of kilometres of the Plan de Corones in the 2008 Giro and you will realise the difficulties this stage are going to present in the 2010 edition. The ramps are infernal and the surface is gravel for the last 5 kilometres. This could be the moment when any rider with pretentions of winning could eke out some extra time and which could throw some light on the final podium positions - and have some riders wishing they were on a mountain bike.

Stage 19: Brescia to Aprica

Race defining moment: With the Anglirú and the Zoncolan, the Mortirolo completes the triumvariate of colossus European climbs. The Mortirolo could come just at the wrong or the right moment for key riders. With legs weary and coming after a significant amount of racing we feel the Mortirolo will define the final podium positions. The mountain starts hard at nearly 10%, has a middle section at an average of 12.3% then flattens out for the final couple of miles to 9.2% - say no more. This is a leg breaker. If you're with us make sure to check out the Pantani memorial about 4 km from the top.

The last time I did the Mortirolo some years back, I first heard the words "spinge, spinge" screamed at the bystanders by the tail enders in the peloton.  I quickly asked and was told it meant, "Push me, push me!"  Enough said, the Mortirolo is just plain way tough. 

Stage 20: Bormio to Passo Tonale

Synopsis and Race defining moment: The whole week has been defining but we feel the Passo di Gavia (Cima Coppi 2010) will be a key moment on this stage and therefore the race. This could be the opportunity for last gasp attacks to gain back time on tired riders further up the classification. This is Italy and this is the Giro d'Italia so expect attacks to the bitter end and the Gavia could see some fabulous racing.

All in all, the hundred and first running of this quaint event is going to be something.   It will not feature the Lance Armstrong circus in 2010, but it will be pure cycle racing at it very best.  We guarantee it.

Visit Thomson Bike Tours online at www.thomsonbiketours.com.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for our complete 2010 Giro d'Italia coverage, which will include video highlights from each stage of the Giro. Also, check out www.universalsports.com/cycling for full video coverage of each stage. And please do support our sponsors: