'When everyone starts to panic, you just need to breathe deeply': Fearless approach key to success on Giro d’Italia gravel stage

Pello Bilbao expects Strade Bianche-style stage on Sunday to be both a physical and mental challenge

Pello Bilbao
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sunday brings a different test for the riders at the Giro d'Italia - gravel. Stage nine will contain five gravel sectors made famous in Strade Bianche, with the finish in the Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena. The finish comes atop the Via Santa Caterina, with gaps very much expected.

The key to success on the tough 181km gravel stage - including more than 2,500 metres of elevation gain - will be keeping calm and carrying on, no matter the circumstances, Bahrain Victorious' Pello Bilbao has said.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Tom Thewlis
News and Features Writer

After previously working in higher education, Tom joined Cycling Weekly in 2022 and hasn't looked back. He's been covering professional cycling ever since; reporting on the ground from some of the sport's biggest races and events, including the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix and the World Championships. His earliest memory of a bike race is watching the Tour on holiday in the early 2000's in the south of France - he even made it on to the podium in Pau afterwards. His favourite place that cycling has taken him is Montréal in Canada.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.