As things stand less than one minute separates the top 23 in general classification, but you can bet it won't be like that tonight. All the main GC contenders are within that 23, except perhaps for Ryder Hesjedal who sits 27th at 1min 17sec, and as a result there is so much to play for.
With so many hard stages to come there is the possibility that many will look to keep their powder dry. Follow the moves but not expose themselves too much. But one or two will feel good enough to test the waters and it only takes one or two to break a finish like this one wide open.
Somebody like Vincenzo Nibali or Alejandro Valverde might see it as an opportunity to steal a couple of seconds while the likes of Mikel Landa must surely see this as his chance to bank some time ahead of what is likely to be a loss of time come Sunday's individual time-trial.
And that's where Tom Dumoulin comes in. The big Dutchman is a sure bet to put big time into his rivals on Sunday's 40.5km race of truth and so will be tempted today to grab an extra couple of seconds today, but aware that maintaining the status quo will be a big coup for him. Despite being uphill, finish isn't brutal by any means and the road levels out a couple of times on the way up. It may well suit him.
Dumoulin claims he doesn't have GC aspirations and is only looking to defend his pink jersey for the first half of this Giro, but few believe him. He's got pink now, he should have pink still, or again, come Sunday and the competitive juices will surely begin to bubble. We seen it at last years Vuelta and I think he's got more at stake in this Giro game that he is trying to let on.
As I type this they're into the final 30km so best to go and enjoy the show. We'll see what state the overall standings are in in about an hour from now.
