The grand Italian cycling race returns again this May. Highly regarded as one of the most formidable races in the world, the Giro d’Italia, is a three-weeks-long spectacle, showcasing stunning landscapes, towering mountains, and the fiercest competitiveness amongst the pro cyclers.
Though Tour de France may hold the predominant prestige, the Giro d’Italia, frequented by the lush-mountains, holds a unique character as the toughest grand tour of the season. Racing in the Giro d’Italia is not just about winning; it’s about earning the maglia rosa, the discernible pink jersey bestowed to the leader of the Giro’s General Classification each day.
What does the 2023 Giro d’Italia Look Like?
The 106th edition of the Giro d’Italia is packed with a challenging course spanning 3,448.6 kilometers (2,138 miles) over 21 stages. The variety offered is exhilarating – from three grueling individual time trials to seven mountain stages ending with uphill finishes, the event promises nothing short of an adrenaline rush. Furthermore, there are four projected stages for daring breakaways and eight stages predicted to culminate with field sprints.
Where does the starting line of the 2023 tour lie?
The Grande Partenza or the ‘Great Start’ of this year’s tour happens in the Abruzzo region, beginning with an individual time trial on Saturday (Stage 1), followed by what seems to be the Giro’s first field sprint on Sunday (Stage 2). The race then propels into a tight clockwise loop through the southern half of Italy, providing picturesque landscapes along with the extreme sport.
What turns await in the 2023 Giro d’Italia?
From the true mountain stages to murals, Italian for “walls,” the tour encompasses a variety of challenges. In Stage 9, we expect to see serious competition in a 33.6K race against the clock between Savignano al Rubicone and Cesena, where the Giro’s true contenders will surface. Upcoming field sprints, high climbs, and perfect opportunities for breakaways in various stages keep the excitement fervent in this thrilling event..
With the most challenging stages in the third week, the riders will climb through the heart of the Alps and Dolomites. Stage 19 stands out for its strategic significance: a mountain raid through the Dolomites that finishes atop the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the place where Eddy Merckx clinched control of the 1968 Giro d’Italia, setting the stage for his victorious string of grand tour victories. The final individual time trial in Stage 20 and the sprinter’s chance on the last stage amplify the thrill of the competition.
Two names that stand prominent for this year’s tour are Slovenia’s Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) and Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step). Both riders are looking to redeem past performances and stand strong for this year’s race. Their past shows a consistent record in Tours of Spain, promising an intense competition. The race could come down to a nail-biting finish with the winner arising from a fearless risk-taking strategy.
While the British duo from INEOS Grenadiers, Geraint Thomas, and Tao Geoghegan Hart, are worth keeping an eye on, Italian Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious), Russia’s Aleksandr Vlasov (BORA-hansgrohe), and Portugal’s Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) are among the other noteworthy contestants.
The race also marks the debut of Mark Cavendish (Astana) in a grand tour with his new team, joined by other capable sprinters such as Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) and Australia’s Michael Matthews.
With the competition, the fierceness, and the grandeur of the race, all set in the heart of picturesque Italy, the 2023 Giro d’Italia is sure to leave cycling enthusiasts and spectators around the world on the edges of their seats.
