 The eighteenth stage, an individual time trial, would prove critical in deciding the overall winner of the Giro.The route started off with of flat roads, before the climb to the finish at the Vetriolo Terme ski station in Valico del Vetriolo.Going into the stage, Hampsten led the race by 42 seconds over Breukink, a margin that was increased by a further 32 seconds after the time trial.