The original stage 5 route, 100.7km from Ponte in Valtellina to the summit of Passo Gavia, was to be the first real test for the overall classification contenders.

Stage 16 of the 2019 Giro d’Italia is set to be the queen stage at 226 kilometres, with the Gavia - this year’s Cima Coppi as the highest point on the route - followed by the Mortirolo ahead ...

Andy Hampsten rode into cycling legend almost 26 years ago, when a blizzard engulfed the Passo Gavia, and the Giro directors refused to cancel the stage. It was epic stuff for fans, but a living hell ...