The peloton will be climbing straight out of the gates on stage 3's 122km race from Vezza d'Oglio to Trento, but the length of descent and run-in to the finish could play into the hands of the sprinters.
The general classification standings were significantly reshaped after stage 2 into Aprica, with Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek) taking over the maglia rosa after the day's breakaway victory. Stage 1 winner Marlen Reusser (Movistar) sits in second place at 15 seconds back, while Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) is 31 seconds back.
While it is still possible for a breakaway to set sail on the opening ascent of the day, of which they will reach the peak of the Passo del Tonale (Cima Alfonsina Strada) at the 19km mark, it would be difficult to maintain a gap on the gentle descent and the remainder of the stage through Val di Sole and Val di Non, and into a flat final 40km into Trento.
There is also an intermediate sprint located at the 62.7km mark in Cles, a good opportunity for the teams with points contenders to set up for a sprint before doing so again for their respective sprinters at the finish line.
It also marks a transition stage before the peloton reaches stage 4, and the next mountaintop finish at Valdobbiadene on Wednesday.
One of the biggest storylines to follow during the eight-day event will be Marianne Vos' attempt to add to her record 32 career stage wins at the Italian Grand Tour
