Giro d’Italia 2025: The key stages

Throughout the 21 days of the race, some stages will be more decisive than others in the struggle for general classification and the very important Maglia Rosa. From the Tuscan gravel to a queen Stage full of ports, these are the key stages that the ‘Maglia’ pink could decide …

The Giro will visit Albania for the first time in 2025 and will go through the Adriatic Sea for La Grandeza – the first three stages of the race – before there is a day off for the teams to move to Alberobello in Puglia for the start of the fourth stage. In addition to the two mountainous days, the Balkans will host the first individual counterreloj of the race, a 13.7 km circuit in the capital, Tirana. Although too short for important time differences, it could be an early indicator of who is in the battle by the general.

• Gubbio – Siena (181km)

• 2.458m, mountainous

Why is it important for the general?

The last stage before the second day of rest of the turn, the ninth, will have a Spring Classics air, with five sectors of the white gravel roads of the Tuscany, famous for the Strade Bianche. It is unlikely that the race will be won at 28.9 km of gravel, but any important mechanical problem or fall could make a dent in the ambitions of a rider in the general.

Historical importance?

As in the Strade Bianche, the Piazza del Campo de Siena will host the end of the ninth stage, with the Riders crossing the line in the emblematic central square of the city, famous for housing the Palio Horsepower race. Before entering the square, they will have to face a short and pronounced ascent, which could be significant in the career race and the possible time bonuses.

• Lucca – Pisa (28.6 km)

• 125m, here

Why is it important for the general?

The second and last individual counterreloj of this year’s turn, Lucca’s stage to Pisa offers the last chance to win against the clock before the race begins to face some important mountains. Its length will make it more important than the other ITT of the 108th edition (stage 2) in the fight for the ‘Maglia’ Rosa, although as is flat, something special will be necessary for an aspiring CG to get a great advantage.

Historical importance?

The turn visited Pisa for the first time a century ago, in 1925, but the site of the inclined tower has not welcomed the race for 45 years, then a counterreloj that also ended in the Tuscan city.

Why is it important for the general?

Fireworks are expected in the first stage of the last week of the turn, in which the Riders will have to exceed five category ascents, including a category one to Valentine (Brentonico), 17.4 km with an average of 6.4% and 14% peaks. If the fight for the general has not yet been unleashed, the 16th stage will do it safely, with many opportunities for attacks and to crush the rivals.

Historical importance?

The last winner of a stage in Brentonico was Eddy Mercx, who won his second turn in 1970. Could Roglič emulate the Goat in both directions this time?

Why is it important for the general?

If the mountains of stage 16 did not cause a decisive division in the general classification, then the career of the next day should do so. Although there are only three categorized promotions, the Riders will go uphill during most of the day, since they will accumulate about 6,000m of slope in the stage with more promotions of the entire turn. The Passo del Tonale (15.2 km to 6 percent) and the Passo del Mortirolo (12.6 km to 7.6 percent) should reduce the scaller skills of the rideers of the general classification, leaving a direct duel in the final climb to Le Motte and a rapid decrease of 9 km to bormio.

Historical importance?

The turn ended for the last time in the Alpina city of Bormio in 2017, with the Italian Vincenzo Nibali beating Mikel Landa on an arrival at the Sprint. It is also the closest that this year’s edition will be the step of the Stelvio, one of the most emblematic increases of the Giro and Italy.

Why is it important for the general?

The last opportunity that the ‘Maglia’ will have to increase its advantage or that an opponent steals it at the last moment, the final 100 km of the queen stage of this year’s turn cannot be lost. The central point will probably be the ascent to Colle Delle Finestre (18.5 km to 9.2 percent), with the second half of the rise on gravel. Although the speed should not be a risk of injury as in the 9th stage, the surrounding surface could cause a mechanical problem that endangered the general classification, so domestiques prepared to offer their bicycles as a replacement could be fundamental. After Coronar Colle delle Finestre, the highest point of the race, there is a infarction decrease before the last categorized rise of the race to Sestrière (Via Lattea).

Historical importance?

The final was the climb in which the ‘Maglia’ Rosa Simon Yates broke in 2018 and Chris Froome launched a bold solo attack. The four -time winner of the Tour de France still had 80 km to travel, but his getaway remained, seeing him jump over his compatriot to lead the race and, ultimately, win his first and only turn.

• Roman – Rome (143km)

• 794m, Llano

Why is it important for the general?

The final stage of Rome, in large part ceremonial, does not influence the general classification, since the race for the ‘Maglia’ Rosa is ultimately decided the previous day, but offers the winner the opportunity to celebrate it with his team and his followers in the cobbled circuit of the Italian capital.

Historical importance?

Although Paris is famous for housing the final stage of the Tour of France, it is only the seventh time that Rome celebrates the end of the turn since 1911. The 2025 edition will be the third consecutive year in which the Great Tour ends in the Italian capital, and will pass through the city of the Vatican in homage to the late Pope Francis.

07

The Red Bull Km: How does this affect the points?

Nineinue of the 21 stages of this year’s edition, scheduled from May 9 to June 1, will have one kilometer from the Red Bull brand, which will serve as a “entrance door” to the only intermediate sprint that counts for the general classification: the first three Riders to cross the kilometer exit door will gain six, four and two seconds, respectively.

Since the Red Bull Km will be the only intermediate point of the race that grants seconds of bonus for the general classification -along with the end of the stage, where the winner obtains a bonus of 10 seconds -his goal is to trigger fierce battles inside the squad.

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