We’ve been on about Stage 7 on Saturday – it’s the first day of the mountains with 236km, up and down all day, and the fearsome 1368m peak of Monte Catria, followed by the ‘piccolo mortirolo’ over Monte delle Cesane, before the stinging climb to the finish in Saltara. As you’ll see in the pics, the Cesane climb is both beautiful and a perfect launch pads to shape gc…

It took two trips for PEZ-man Allesandro Federico to fully scope the key climbs on the Giro’s wicked Stage 7. With a few strategic photo stops, Ale was the first journo we know to make it to the Catria summit this season. He reports that the climb’s twisting, narrow steeps, dirt sections, stubborn snow and spectacular scenery promise a spectacle when the pros arrive May 13.

You could argue that this year’s Grand Tour season begins May 13th, with the Giro’s great 7th stage. The peloton will climb the brutal Monte Catria before approaching a steep uphill finish at the village of Saltara, which is hosting its first Giro finish. PEZ’s Alessandro Federico tested his early season legs and discovered Saltara’ all-pervasive passion for cycling.