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| - AFP Sport takes a look at the five key stages of the 2021 Giro d'Italia, which runs from May 8-30, after its route was unveiled on Wednesday: Peruggia - Montalcino - 163km As the dust settles on the early running and the first rest day, stage 11 will kick up a new cloud on the 35km section that gives the Strade Bianchi classic its name. The Australian Cadel Evans emerged the winner here in 2010 on a rainy day that covered the riders in white mud on the non-tarmac section of a region known for its wines. Cittadella - Monte Zoncolan, 205km The 14th stage in the multilingual region near Austria and Slovenia takes the race back to the totemic Zoncolan mountain which features the steepest finish of the Giro with its double-digit gradients towards the peak in the final kilometres. Sacile - Cortina d'Ampezzo, 212km Three climbs that marked the centenary version of the Giro will make the 16th stage, a potential turning point in the fortunes of the contenders with the Dolomites making an epic backdrop. The second climb takes the Giro to its highest point at 2,239m and is being touted as the 'Queen stage' with its 5,700m of ascent. Verbania - Alpe Motta, 164km The 20th stage is a testing sidestep into Switzerland to climb the Passo di San Bernardino and the Splugenpass, both well above the clouds and the treeline at over 2000m. But the decider could well be the Alpe Motta which rounds out 4800m of total climbing. Senago - Milan, 29.4 km Anyone who witnessed the triumphant final day entry into Milan last year of the young British champion Tao Geoghegan Hart as he overturned the lead of Australia's Jai Hindley is also likely to enjoy the 29.4km concluding race against the clock culminating in front of the Duomo. jm/rbj/dmc/dj
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