The sharp Turns going toward the ski resort of Prato Nevoso, part of the Mondolé district, have already been decisive for the Giro two times in the past. In 1996 Tonkov broke off from everybody else and to win the leg and seize the pink jersei that he wore up until the very end. In 2000 Gorzelli was the first to cross the finish line, which started his rise up through the overall standings, anding with his win that year in Milan. So it a trecherous uphill climb. We are in Monregalese, il Valle Maudagna, and start out from Frabosa Sottana at an altitud of 641 metres. The first stretch is fairly easy to pedal until we get to Miroglio. Right outside the town the road the becomes much harsher, up to the crossroads for Artesina (it was here that Bugno tried to make a break, but got struck on his pedals). We have to take on 5 km of hairpin beends in order to arrive at the 1615 m altitude of Prato Nevoso. One can pedal up at a good pace if there is any energy left in thr legs.
The Prato Nevoso climb is 11 km long with a 974 metre difference in height and an average gradient of 8.9%.
