It’s time for the first big round of the season. The Giro starts from Durrës in Albania on Friday May 9, and will lead the 184 runners hired to Rome on June 1. On the program of this first big round with 23 teams at the start (against 22 previously), 21 stages with a demanding profile and a struggle which promises to be fierce to succeed the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, absent. Franceinfo: Sport presents what you need to know about the 108th edition of the Tour of Italy.
A demanding course and an unprecedented Departure from Albania
The Giro offers itself a great historical departure. For the first time, the Tour of Italy rushes from Albania, a country it will crisscross during three stages. A 15th start from abroad and a course of 3,413 kilometers, through Albania, Slovenia and Italy for a total positive elevation of 52,500 m (44,550 in 2024).
With 13 rugged steps or high mountains out of 21, this 108th edition is particularly demanding. After the first week when sprinters can express themselves, climbers will be able to feast on the transalpine massifs. Friday, May 16, the 7th stage will set the tone with a first arrival at the top. Before a last full week.
The runners will have to chain a 19th stage punctuated by four passes and a penultimate marked by the ascent of the Col du Finestre (2,178 m above sea level). The last step will be the traditional arrival in Rome, with an unprecedented passage by the Vatican, to pay tribute to Pope Francis.
Roglic, ayuso, yates … a dense tray in the absence of a pogacar
What if a Slovenian hid another? In the absence of the outgoing winner, Tadej Pogacar, his compatriot, Primoz Roglic, is a favorite, and will benefit from popular support, especially during the passage in Slovenia, with an arrival at Nova Gorica for the 14th stage. Winner of the Giro in 2023, the runner Redbull Bora Hansgrohe distinguished himself at the start of the season by winning the Tour of Catalonia in front of Juan Ayuso. At 22, the Spaniard is also the author of an excellent start to the season with several victories, notably on the Tirreno Adriatico. He could take advantage of the Giro to take revenge on the Slovenian.
Behind these two big favorites, several outsiders can create surprise. Excellent climber, the Spaniard Mikel Landa (Sudal Quickstep) will have his card to play just like the Simon brothers (Visma Lease A Bike) and Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) or Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), which won the Giro U23 in 2020.
Large premiere for David Gaudu, last big tour for Romain Bardet
On the French side, the most ambitious is David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ). Breton, aligned for the first time on the Tour of Italy, announced to aim for the general classification. “I will surely have ten days galleys. I will have to hang on. It should result behind. I want to be combative for my discovery of the Giro and do beautiful things”said the 28 -year -old runner at the microphone of The team. His state of form remains, however, uncertain. Operated in March after several falls, his return to the Tour de Romandie, in May, ended in a 30th place.
Romain Bardet (Picnic Postnl) will live in Italy his last big tour before his retirement, scheduled after the Criterium of the Dauphiné (from June 8 to 15). Ninth of the general last year, the native of Brioude will aim for a stage victory. “”I want to make a good giro because it is the genesis of what pushed me to continue. I managed to do second [d’étape] On each of the three times I participated. I would like it to fall on the right side this time. Playing the general, I am no longer capable of it “, had entrusted the climber to AFP at the start of the year.
Bonus intermediary sprints for more suspense
To add a little pepper to the race, the organizers of the Giro also innovated. 1 km intermediate sprints have been introduced on all stages except for both times. The first three of each sprint will win bonifications of 6, 4 and 2 seconds, counting for the general classification. Ultimately, it could make the difference. In 2023, Primoz Roglic won the pink jersey for only 14 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas.
