Four days and it will be the Giro d’Italia. The race for the Pink Jersey starts from Venaria Reale, with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) given by all as a favorite. But we know well how many, many pitfalls are hidden in a great tour. Let’s get to know them together, revealing the little secrets of each fraction.
THE ROUTE OF THE GIRO D’ITALIA IN X-RAYS
4 May, first stage – Venaria Reale-Turin (140 km) **
Moved stage, unusual way to open the Corsa Rosa. The first GPM of the Giro will be the Berzano di San Pietro, followed by the ascent towards Superga, on the day of the seventy-fifth opponent since the tragedy that involved the Grande Torino. You pass the finish line for the first time, preceded by the hard climb of San Vito, then there is the climb to Colle Maddalena, 6.1 km at 7.4% with 12% maximum. Descent and you pass again on San Vito, on the top of which you arrive -3 from the finish line.
5 May, second stage – San Francesco al Campo-Sanctuary of Oropa (161 km) ***
Immediately an uphill finish with which the ranking will undergo an important change. The first eighty kilometers are quite calm, then the first GPMs arrive, with the third category of Oasi Zegna and Nelva and then comes the Oropa climb, the one that remained famous for Marco Pantani’s comeback, 11.8 km at 6.2% with peaks to 14% in the final.
6 May, third stage – Novara-Fossano (166 km) **
The first chance for fast wheels arrives. A couple of ups and downs in the first part, including the Lu GPM and the flying finish line that leads to Cherasco, but they are not roads that will cause difficulty for the sprinters. Last kilometers practically flat.
7 May, fourth stage – Acqui Terme-Andora (190 km) **
A fraction that shares a good part of the Milan-Sanremo route, especially the finale with Capo Mele launching some possible attempts, which still appear quite difficult. In the middle of the day the Colle del Melogno GPM, 6.8 km at 5%, which will skim the group but not too much.
8 May, fifth stage – Genoa-Lucca (178 km) ***
Another opportunity for fast wheels. The first part is lively with a couple of small climbs and the Bracco Pass, which is quite long (15.2 km at 3.9%) with the average gradient influenced by a couple of slightly flat sections. The Montemagno climb (3 km at 4.3%) could launch some attempts from afar, but it is too far from the finish line (-21 from the finish).
9 May, sixth stage – Viareggio-Rapolano Terme (180 km) ***
A stage arrives that can change the ranking, that of the dirt road. There are three sectors for almost 12 kilometres, the first two in common with the Strade Bianche, that of Vidritta and that of Bagnaia, which has gradients of up to 15%, reaching the GPM of Grotti. Lots of ups and downs before the slightly uphill finish.
10 May, seventh stage – Foligno-Perugia (time trial, 40.6 km) ****
Stopwatch that can be divided into two parts. The first 32 kilometers are completely flat, until you reach Ponte Valleceppi, with the climb towards Casaglia with gradients of up to 16%. The last kilometers are all uphill, even reaching double figures with many curves and counterslopes.
11 May, eighth stage – Spoleto-Prati di Tivo (152 km) *****
First five-star stage of this Giro d’Italia. It starts uphill taking the Dorca di Cerro (7.3 km at 4.1%), followed immediately after by the Forca Capistrello (16.3 km at 5.6%, climb made in steps with sections between 7 and ‘8%, slight slope before the last 2000 meters at 6%). Many ups and downs until the unprecedented passage on the Croce Abbio da Capitignano, then the final ascent, characteristic of the Tirreno-Adriatico, long and always constant between 6 and 8%.
12 May, ninth stage – Avezzano-Naples (214 km) ***
The first week of the Giro d’Italia ends in Campania. However, we start from Lazio, passing Sora and Cassino with a road that is almost always perpetually downhill. Once we arrive in Cellole we will be in Campania and the race begins to come to life: we travel along the Tyrrhenian coast arriving at the only GPM of the day in Monte di Procida, then three steep climbs that will give a chance to the stage hunters in Lucino (1.1 km per 6.7%), Solfatara di Pozzuoli (2 km at 4.9%) and Posillipo (3.2 km at 4.4%), before the now classic final in via Caracciolo.
May 14, tenth stage – Pompei-Cusano Mutri (Bocca della Selva) (142 km) ***
After the rest day we immediately start climbing again on a day that can tell us something more about the general ranking. After about fifty flat kilometers we head towards the flying finish line of Arpaia, after a 5.6 km climb at 3.4%. Taburno (not reported, 3.1 km at 8.3%) is the appetizer for Camposauro, second category of 6.1 km at 7.6%), with maximum gradients of 14%. Other ups and downs passing through Guardia Sanframondi (4.8 km at 6.5%) and Cusano Mutri (700 meters at 6%) and then the climb to Bocca della Selva, also with steps but with maximum peaks at 14%.
15 May, eleventh stage – Foiano di Val Fortore-Francavilla al mare (207 km) **
Welcome back sprinters. A very lively first 80 kilometres, with the Pietracatella climb (7.6 km at 5.9%) characterizing the first half of the race as well as a couple of ramps such as that of Ripabottoni (4.8 km at 4.2%) , but from Portocannone, at kilometer 108, it is all flat with a very long final straight of over three kilometres.
May 16, twelfth stage – Martinsicuro-Fano (193 km) ***
A day that the stage hunters have probably marked on their calendar. 50 kilometers completely flat, once you reach Civitanova you move away from the sea and 120 really tortuous kilometers begin, with about ten less and more difficult stretches. The last one, that of Monte Giove (1200 meters at 9.2% but a peak above 10%) is -9 from the finish line.
17 May, thirteenth stage – Riccione-Cento (179 km) *
A mere transfer stage. Course as flat as a table in the Emilia-Romagna plain, the only difference in altitude at the end is the bridge over the Reno river. Last curve, very wide, 450 meters from the finish line. The sprint seems to be a given unless cataclysms occur.
18 May, fourteenth stage – Castiglione delle Stiviere-Desenzano del Garda (individual time trial, 31 km) ***
The time has come for the second time trial of this Giro d’Italia, dedicated mostly to specialists like Filippo Ganna. Practically flat route with wide and fast roads going towards the shore of Lake Garda. In the end, a pair of right-left bends about 300 meters from the finish line that must be interpreted carefully.
May 19, fifteenth stage – Manerba del Garda-Livigno (222 km) *****
To close the second week we needed a real capper. Warming up the legs is the third category of Lodrino (7.3 km at 4.5%), followed immediately by the second category of Colle San Zeno (13.9 km at 6.6%, but with a 14% gradient maximum). Descent and past Malonno we go to the historic Mortirolo, almost 13 km at 7.5% but which also reaches 16% in the final with aggressive slopes that will split the group in two. And it’s not over: after the descent and the Le Motte ramp (3.1 km at 7.5%) we go back up towards the Foscagno Pass, 14.6 km at 6.5% but which also reaches 12 %, descent and last ramp on Mottolin, 4700 meters at 7.3% also reaching double figures on the ‘eve’ of the last kilometre.
21 May, sixteenth stage – Livigno-Santa Cristina in Valgardena (Monte Pana) (202 km) ****
Another stage to open the third week, with Eira and Foscagno at the start and then immediately going to the Stelvio, the Cima Coppi of this edition with its 2758 meters of altitude (19.6 km at 7.5%, 15% maximum gradient) . All this comes only in the first 53 kilometres, then you enter the province of Bolzano going slightly downhill until the start of Passo Pinei, 23.3 km at 4.7% with maximums of 15%. Descent and another climb to the finish line, 7.6 km at 6.1% with peaks of 15%.
22 May, seventeenth stage – Selva di Valgardena-Passo Brocon (159 km) *****
We return with a five-star stage that will be able to tell us who can really win this Giro d’Italia. Starting uphill on Passo Sella, after the descent Passo Rolle arrives in a row (19.8 km at 4.8%), Passo Gobbera and the first ascent to Passo Brocon (13.3 km at 6.5%, maximum of 12 %) which however is a real ‘aperitif’ for the final climb, on the other side: 11.8 km at 6.6% and peaks at 13%, with a part from the sixth to the ninth kilometer always in double figures.
May 23, eighteenth stage – Fiera di Primiero-Padova (178 km) **
The sprinters are back as protagonists, or at least the few remaining ones. There’s a GPM at the start of the day, Lamon’s fourth category, but apart from a couple of paws the road is downhill until kilometer 106. From there it’s all flat to the finish line, the fast wheels will want to give it a go.
May 24, nineteenth stage – Mortegliano-Sappada (157 km) ***
More than a chance to decide the Giro, it seems like an appetizer. The first eighty-five kilometers are slightly uphill, then the day hardens with Passo Duron, 4400 meters at 9.7% and maximums at 18%. Descent and the Sella Valcada immediately arrives, then after passing through Forni Avoltri the Cima Sappada begins, second category of 8.3 km at 4.8% but with 15% maximum. After having climbed the hill, you follow the Sappada cycle path, 2000 meters from the finish line, turn right and go up again, reaching 10% until the last kilometre.
May 25, twentieth stage – Alpago-Bassano del Grappa (184 km) *****
It’s all at stake here in Bassano del Grappa. At the start, the Ca’ del Poggio Wall will make the difference, but it will be the central part that will entice everyone, with the double climb to Monte Grappa, 18.1 km at 8.1% and a maximum gradient of 14%. After the second climb there will be just over 30 km to go: it’s almost all downhill, but watch out for the counterslope of the Planaro (1500 meters at 9% and maximums at 15%) which are the last opportunity for a direct attack.
26 May, twenty-first stage – Rome-Rome (125 km) *
Classic catwalk, this time in the capital, with the last chance for the sprinters. At the Imperial Forums we will celebrate not only the winner of this Giro d’Italia, but all those who have reached the end of these three weeks.
