The stage is wavy, with a first climb starting just 11 kilometres after the start (Le Svolte di Popoli), followed by nearly 200 kilometres on wide and mostly straight roads with roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic islands being the main obstacles for the peloton to negotiate.
The category four climb of Valico della Somma summits with 41 kilometres remaining and could be used as a springboard for opportunistic attacks or a chance to drop some of the sprinters. The final part of the route descends or runs flat all the way to the finish line.
The 211 kilometre Stage 7 (RCS Sport) Source: RCS Sport
The finale is pretty straightforward with one right-hand bend quickly followed by two left-hand turns leading into the home straight with 1.3 kilometres left to go. One last, gentle bend with 500m before the finish line won't test the riders overly. It looks like the sort of finish where it will be all about who can put down the most power in the final sprint.
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Ewan wants a chance to sprint
A big question for this stage is whether Marcel Kittel can stay close enough to the front of the peloton over the climb to contest the finish in Foligno. Other teams know of the Giant-Alpecin sprinter's weakness over even the smaller hills and they will be sure the put the pressure on up the final climb in an attempt to dislodge the big German.
The sprint may come down to which team can best nurse their sprinter over that climb and could well open it up for a different rider to emerge victorious.
Tune into SBS/HD from 11.40 pm for the live TV coverage of Stage 7. Or watch the action via the online or Tour Tracker stream from 10.30 pm. If you missed Stage 6, catch the highlights on SBS/HD at 5.00 pm. All times AEST.
