The 2025 Giro d’Italia promises an exciting and challenging race with a blend of time trials, gravel sections, and a dramatic final week that could shake up the general classification.
Scheduled to start on May 9, this year’s Giro kicks off with a historic Albanian Grande Partenza. The first three stages will take place in Albania, with a 13.7km time trial nestled between two hilly stages, potentially setting the tone for the competition early on.
Among the standout stages is Stage 9, which will take riders into Siena. This stage features five sectors of sterrata, three classified climbs, and a challenging finale that includes the Muro di Santa and a climb into Piazza del Campo, mirroring the famous Strade Bianche route.
The following day, riders will face a 28.6km time trial that will take them to the foot of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. The mountains will come into play on Stage 7, with a late but intense 12.6km climb to the finish line at Tagliacozza, situated at 1,425 meters above sea level.
However, the most decisive moments of the race are expected to unfold in the final week, especially on stages 19 and 20. These two stages will each feature approximately 5,000 meters of elevation gain, with finishes at Champoluc and the legendary Sestriere, located near the French border.
The final week also brings additional challenges, including three grueling consecutive stages followed by a lone flat stage that offers a brief respite. The Giro will wrap up with a 141km stage around Rome, providing one last chance for sprinters to shine.
Speaking of sprinters, the 2025 Giro offers six potential sprint stages, including three back-to-back opportunities as the race re-enters Italy in the first week, plus another sprint finish on the final day.
Primož Roglič, the reigning 2023 champion, is among the leading favorites. He will be joined by Spanish talent Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), who will make his Giro debut alongside his teammate Adam Yates, who has raced the Giro just once before, finishing ninth in 2017.
Also making his debut is Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease A Bike, a potential GC contender who will team up with Wout van Aert. Unless a surprise entry from Tadej Pogačar materializes, Vingegaard and Roglič are expected to be the top two contenders for the overall victory.
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