Stage 9 | Sunday, 12 May | Avezzano - Napoli | 214 kilometres
After Naples was a regular stage venue from the first editions of the Giro d'Italia until the 1970s, Italy's third-largest city was neglected for decades. But that has recently changed again. After 2022 and 2023, the city on Mount Vesuvius is now the destination of a stage for the third time in a row. In the first year, Thomas De Gendt was a breakaway rider, while Alessandro De Marcchi and Simon Clarke were only caught by the peloton 300 metres before the finish line. Mads Pedersen won the bunch sprint.
A similar course cannot be ruled out on the 214-kilometre stage 9, which starts in Avezzano. The route initially leads south from the undulating foothills of the Apennines and tends to descend until the Thyrrenian Sea is reached after around 100 kilometres. For another 70 kilometres or so, the course along the coast is perfectly flat. Then the finale begins.
Over the Monte di Procida (4th category) in an exposed position on the last tip of land before the gates of Naples, the route then leads over several uncategorised hills including a short 14 per cent climb back to the mainland and into the centre of the metropolis. The last three kilometres are flat again, but there is a 180-degree bend 900 metres before the finish.
Sporting assessment of the 9th stage
Basically, stage 9 is one for the sprinters. However, it is not really made easy for the fast men this year. There are always hills waiting in the finale - such as on stage 3 or 4 - which make classic bunch sprints difficult. It's no different in Naples. If someone goes for it and attacks on the undulations, things can get very hectic. Riders have to close gaps instead of preparing sprints, the captains are on their own.
These images are not uncommon in this Giro. However, as enough teams are likely to be interested in reaching the finishing straight with a closed field, there is a good chance that this will happen with great effort. After all, there will be a rest day afterwards to recharge the batteries.
Giro d'Italia 2024 - Stage 9: The most important information at a glance
- Flat stage with slightly undulating finale over 214 kilometres
- Mountain classifications: 1, sprint classifications: 3
- Start time: 12 noon
- Estimated arrival time: between 17:00 and 17:29
- TV: from 11:45 a.m. Eurosport 1
- Live stream: from 12:15 pm Discovery Plus
- More info on TV broadcast & live stream
