May 19 update: At 256 km with lots of good hills, stage 11 setups like a classic. This stage seemingly has Alexandre Vinokourov's name all over it. The winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège less than a month ago will have a great opportunity to get his first Giro win today to strengthen his hold on the leader's jersey if his team can hold the race together. Problem is, today is not a one day race and no one will want him in a break. Live Race Update: At just km 80, 56 riders have 15 mins on the rest of the bunch. Wiggins, Millar, Sastre and Porte in the group, Vino is not.

This stage starts our journey back north and ends with an uphill finish in L'Aquila which you'll recall was devastated by an earthquake prior to last year's Giro. The last two km average 6.2% a fitting end to a hilly/medium mountain stage. Along the way there two cat 2 climbs and a cat 1 among many smaller hills. More rain is forecasted today. — Steve