‘Last-chance saloon’ at Giro d’Italia for Mark Cavendish and sprinters on Friday’s Stage 13 – Bradley Wiggins

Mark Cavendish (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) is in “last-chance saloon” if he wants to add to his solitary stage victory at this year’s Giro d’Italia, according to Bradley Wiggins. Friday’s run from San Remo to Cuneo appears to be the final opportunity for the fast men before the race hits the mountains, although they could also feasibly deny a breakaway on Stage 18 next week. Ad/> Cavendish is expected to complete the remainder of the Giro as he chases another win to add to his triumph in Hungary on Stage 3, a task that was made slightly easier after struggling sprint rival Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) abandoned the race on Thursday.

Giro d'ItaliaGiro remembers Wouter Weylandt, 11 years on from tragic death5 HOURS AGO Looking ahead to Stage 13 after Stefano Oldani (Alpecin-Fenix) won the longest stage of this year's Giro, Wiggins said: “It’s not as hard as today. Certainly the heat is still going to play a part but there’s a lot of tired legs out there. “It’s last-chance saloon for a lot of riders before we head into the hillier stages and the mountains.

My money is on the likes of Arnaud Demare. I’m looking forward to it.” Demare (Groupama-FDJ) is a surprise package in Italy with two victories helping him become the runaway maglia ciclamino. One of those wins came on Stage 5, which bears a striking resemblance to Friday’s profile – a tough climb at the start, then a kinder run to the finish.