The Giro de Italia 2025 promises thrilling excitement! With 23 teams and 184 cyclists, the race kicks off without Tadej Pogacar, shifting the spotlight onto Primoz Roglic. The Slovenian rider dominated the Volta a Catalunya and aims to repeat his 2023 glory, after snatching the victory from Geraint Thomas in a dramatic penultimate-day time trial.
But watch out, as Juan Ayuso, the young Spanish star of UAE Team Emirates and winner of the recent Tirreno-Adriático 2025, comes as a leader for the first time, ready to challenge Roglic after their epic battle in the Volta.
Also shining within the peloton are Latin American riders such as Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (champion in 2019) and Colombian Egan Bernal (winner in 2021). Let's not forget British riders Adam Yates, a mountain specialist, and Tom Pidcock, who is rapidly gaining prominence.
Making his Giro debut is the renowned Wout van Aert (winner of nine Tour stages), although his performance this season has raised some doubts. Other cyclists who could stand out include Ciccone, Tiberi, or Landa, both in the general classification and stage wins.
Giro 2025: From Albania to Rome, via Mortirolo and Finestre
The route of the Giro de Italia 2025 covers a total distance of 3,443.3 kilometers, featuring a cumulative elevation gain of 52,350 meters across 21 stages, from May 9th to June 1st. Once again, the race will start abroad, specifically in Albania, with a brief incursion into Slovenia, finishing stage 14 in Nova Gorica/Gorizia.
This year, 23 teams will participate instead of the usual 22, thanks to the Union Cycliste Internationale granting an extra invitation to the Grand Tours. The invited Pro Tour teams for this edition are VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè (ITA), Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (SUI), and Team Polti VisitMalta (ITA).
The "senza fine" trophy awaits the winner in Rome. Image: By Fabio - Partenza Giro d'Italia Modena (24 di 67), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19432876
The Grande Partenza (Grand Start) of the 2025 Giro will take place outside Italy, specifically in Durazzo, Albania, across the Adriatic Sea. It's the 15th time the Giro starts abroad and the first time from this Balkan country, featuring three stages there, including a time trial.
Speaking of time trials, the Giro de Italia 2025 will feature two individual ones. The first is on Saturday, May 10th in Tirana (13.7 km urban circuit within the Albanian capital, featuring a small 4th category climb), and the second one is on Tuesday, May 20th (Stage 10) between Lucca and Pisa (28.6 km, nearly flat).
For high mountain enthusiasts, several epic stages are lined up:
• Stage 7 (Friday, May 16): Castel di Sangro to Tagliacozzo (168 km with a final ascent of 11.9 km at 14% gradient);
• Stage 16 (Tuesday, May 27): Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino (203 km with three first-category climbs at Candrai, Santa Barbara, and Brentonico);
• Although stage 17 is classified as a medium-mountain stage by the organizers, it deserves mention as it includes the ascent of one of the Giro's legendary climbs, Passo del Mortirolo, between San Michele all'Adige and Bormio.
• Stage 19 (Friday, May 30): Biella to Champoluc (166 km with three consecutive first-category climbs);
• And the 20th and penultimate stage (Saturday, May 31): Verrès to Sestrière (205 km, featuring climbs of Colle del Lys, Colle delle Finestre, and Vialattea). Weather and snow permitting, this will include the ascent of the Cima Coppi of Giro 2025—Finestre, at 2,178 meters altitude, featuring an imposing 18.5 kilometers climb with sections up to 14% gradient.
Finally, for the seventh time in Giro de Italia history, Rome will host the concluding stage of the Corsa Rosa, departing from Vatican City, as a tribute to the recently deceased Pope Francis.