Next May 4, the great race of the cycling season begins, accompanied by the controversy of the imminent presence of Chris Froome

Just over two weeks left until May 4, when the 2018 edition of the Giro d'Italia will start. The emotions between fans, media, and of course cyclists are intact for the battle for the pink corsa, which for this year returns with a previous charged with different tones.

Leer en español: Comenzó el conteo regresivo rumbo al Giro de Italia

In the first place, it is worth noting that the 101 round will be run in Azorean territory. The competition will be ready as in recent times with 21 stages and will be held under the slogan of "Infinite love", evidently because of the great feeling that Italians and the general public have for this event.

Now, until this date, what is the most important thing that has been said about the competition? What will the famous pedal race again bring for this year? Above all, who are the favorites for the crown? All the answers to these questions are in this text.

Travel

3546 kilometers of road have been arranged by the organization of the Giro d'Italia in 2018. The event will begin in the Israeli city of Jerusalem, with a 9.7 kilometer flat time trial. Later, there will be many days of demanding climbs, among which the arrivals to Etna, Prato Nevoso, El Zoncolan, Bardonecchia, and Cervinia stand out. Finally, the competitors will arrive flat for the last day over the beautiful city of Rome.

Favorites

The controversy is evidently ignited considering who is aspiring to the title. The debate arises because of the imminent presence of the British Chris Froome, who despised the recommendation of the UCI International Cycling Union not to compete in the Giro because of the doping investigations that exist against him, will compete in the event. The cyclist decided, with the help of his SKY team, to be part of the race, in which despite the doping accusations, he looks like the number one favorite to become champion. In this way, Froome would complete his successful record of accomplishment of the big three races.

Of course, Froome will not be the only option to conquer the Giro. Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), current champion of the event, also has clear chances of winning. The athlete has done things well in recent times and he will surely have the chance to start with the right foot. The Italian Fabio Arú (USA), champion of a Tour of Spain, and the Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), third in the last Giro, will be other of the most famous climbers to fight for the vanguard places of the individual general classification.

Colombian presence

As the presence of the combative Colombian runners in a good edition of the pink corsa cannot be absent, the attendance of Esteban Chaves, Miguel Ángel López, Carlos Betancur, Sergio Luis Henao, Jarlinson Pantano, and Rodolfo Torres is already confirmed. All of them are known for their exquisite conditions for the terrain of ascent, with clear options to stand out in the race and, why not, especially in the case of Chavez, Lopez, and Henao, to end up fighting for the supremacy of the joust.

Latin American Post | Freddy González
Translated from “ Comenzó el conteo regresivo rumbo al Giro de Italia”