Our panel of pundits lost their magic touch for the big 170km stage 4, but when it's the excellent - and rapidly-improving - Lizzy Banks who wins, we don't mind so much.
Hear Lizzy on our recent podcast, from 27 mins, because she's darned good value - and occasionally, a bit sweary.
A relatively flat 110km on the menu today. Who's your money on?
Terracina - Terracina (110km)
Olivia Kaferly
Elena Cecchini (Canyon-SRAM) Since the restart of racing for the women, there have not been that many chances for the sprinters to show their form. And it seems unfair to judge them on the basis of the few races we have had this summer. Normally I would go for someone like Jolien d’Hoore on a course like the one stage 5 offers, but d’Hoore hasn’t been anywhere near the front at the Giro and finished OTL at La Course. So I’m thinking Elena Cecchini is a better bet. She has had a string of strong performances this season, and Canyon-SRAM will be keen to get a proper result.
Andy McGrath
Liane Lippert (Team Sunweb) A day for the break as surely the GC hitters need a breather. My money's on one of Sunweb's young stage hunters who is clearly in flying form.
Ben Ward
Lizzie Deignan (Trek Segafredo) I don't think that lump in the middle will prove decisive so in what is sure to be a contested sprint, I'm going with Lizzie Deignan to claim the stage win.
Hannah Walker
Lisa Brennauer (Ceratizit-WNT) Stage 5 is only 110km but riders have to tackle a roughly 20-minute climb in the middle. Lisa is in great shape, and is capable of making it over the climb with the best. The former World time trial champion has a phenomenal sprint on her for the finish in Terracina. She has finesse on a bike, knows where to save energy and is one of only a few people I know of who can read the tactics of a bike race so well.
