May 26 update: Of the six summit finishes at this year's Giro, today's stage 17 finish at Pejo Terme is considered the easiest. The finish is at the border of Parco Nationale dello Stelvio, a tantalizing 30 km from one of the greatest climbs in cycling, Passo dello Stelvio. By the way, aren't we are overdue for another Stelvio appearance?

Stage 17 will likely see a successful break go over the cat 1 GPM after the half point of the 173 km route; Passo delle Palade is 19 km long with an average grade of 6.6%, max 16%.

The finishing climb to Pejo Terme (length: 9.5 km, avg grade: 4.6%, max grade: 12%) was the finale for the 2008 Giro del Trentino. Interestingly, yesterday's Plan de Corones winner, Stefano Garzelli, won the final stage of Giro del Trentino that year so he'll know the finish well. Garzelli is out of the GC race at + 30:49, so there is no reason not to expect him to get in the main break and win this stage from an ugly climbers bunch sprint like he did 2008. That is, unless he's too tired from yesterday's 41 minute winning effort.

By the way, this is considered a medium mountain stage and not a full mountain stage. — Steve