The 2012 Giro d'Italia continues on Friday with the events first mountain stage, a 210 km ride from Urbino to Porto Sant’Elpidio. This is a continuous up-and-downhill route that offers two tough climbs during the middle portion of the race. At 95.4 km, the riders face Cinguli, which reaches 746 m in elevation, but there won't be much time to recompose after that challenge. At the 118th km, the Passo della Cappella looms at 772 m in elevation, a Category 2 climb.
But those aren't the end of the climbs for the cyclists. There will be three quick climbs over a span of 22 km before a few rolling hills and then a descent to the finish line.
We will likely see Garmin-Barracuda's Ramunas Navardauskas surrender the Maglia Rosa (pink jersey) at the end of this stage since he is not a great rider in the mountains. But this could favor his teammates, Ryder Hesjedal and Christian Vande Velde. As Podium Cafe observes in its Stage 6 preview:
Expect Garmin-Barracuda also to take an interest in the finale of this stage. Ryder Hesjedal sits 11 seconds off the race lead, while Christian Vande Velde is eighth at :26.
Will Garmin retain the Maglia Rosa with Hesjedal wearing it? Stay tuned.
Start Time: 3:40 a.m. MT
Expected Finish (all racers): 9:11 a.m. MT
Television Coverage: Universal Sports begins coverage at 7:30 a.m. MT, but Steephill.tv provides online streaming links
Here is the top 10 as we enter Stage 6 (complete standings here):
| Pos. | Name | Country | Team | Time | d |
| 1 | Ramunas Navardauskas | LTU | GRM | 14:45:13 | 0:00 |
| 2 | Robbie Hunter | RSA | GRM | 14:45:18 | 0:05 |
| 3 | Ryder Hesjedal | CAN | GRM | 14:45:24 | 0:11 |
| 4 | Matthew Harley Goss | AUS | OGE | 14:45:26 | 0:13 |
| 5 | Mark Cavendish | GBR | SKY | 14:45:27 | 0:14 |
| 6 | Geraint Thomas | GBR | SKY | 14:45:29 | 0:16 |
| 7 | Manuele Boaro | ITA | SAX | 14:45:32 | 0:19 |
| 8 | Christian Vande Velde | USA | GRM | 14:45:39 | 0:26 |
| 9 | Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver | ESP | KAT | 14:45:43 | 0:30 |
| 10 | Alexander Kristoff | NOR | KAT | 14:45:43 | 0:30 |
For more on the 2012 Giro d'Italia, stick with SB Nation Denver and visit cycling blog Podium Cafe.