Giro - Stage 18 Predictions & Betting tips - Giro d'Italia

Prediction published on 28/05/2025, 14:56  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 29/05/2025 at 11:42

There are some early climbs on Stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia but nothing like those that have been crested in the past couple of days, nor those which are still to come. It is not a true sprinters stage but a long flat run to the line suggests that teams will be trying to set it up that way.

The issue is, after two very tough days, what sprinter still has it in the legs to get over the Cat 2 and two Cat 3 climbs to stick with the peloton? The two punchers are Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert.

Pedersen has made hay on days with similar climbs, winning four stages of the Giro already. He is not an out-and-out sprinter like Olav Kooij but has more pace than the majority of the peloton. 

The job of Wout van Aert will depend on whether Kooij makes it over the three climbs in one piece. If Kooij is with the peloton, van Aert will be his lead-out man as when Kooij won Stage 12, if he isn't, van Aert will take over the hopes of Team Visma himself.

The likes of Kaden Groves, Casper van Uden and Corbin Strong will all have their chance if they make it over the Cat 2 climb. The sprinters teams are liable to control the pace over the climbs but they need to balance that with not letting a break get too far ahead.