Giro d'Italia 2025 Preview: Favorites, Route, and Key Stages

Get ready for the Giro d'Italia 2025. Learn about the top contenders, including Primoz Roglic and Juan Ayuso, the challenging route, and key stages that will decide the winner. Preview, favorites, and expert analysis.

The Giro d'Italia 2025 kicks off in Albania, promising an exciting competition without a clear favorite. Unlike last year's edition, the absence of a dominant rider adds to the anticipation.

Over 50,000 meters of altitude gain await riders, a significant 10,000 meters more than the previous edition. Despite the challenging route, organizers couldn't secure Tadej Pogacar's participation for a Giro-Tour double repeat. Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primoz Roglic are among the top contenders for the Maglia Rosa.

Tadej Pogacar announced his decision not to participate in the Giro d'Italia 2024 shortly after the route was presented, prioritizing the Tour de France instead.

The allure of a stage passing through his homeland, Slovenia, on stage 14, wasn't enough to change his mind. With Jonas Vingegaard also focusing on the Tour, the stage is set for other contenders to shine. Roglic and Ayuso are among the favorites for the Maglia Rosa, as the Giro d'Italia 2025 kicks off in Albania.

Primoz Roglic and Juan Ayuso Lead Contenders

Primoz Roglic, the 2023 Giro d'Italia winner, is a strong favorite for the overall victory, having also won the Volta a Catalunya in March, where he beat Juan Ayuso, another top contender. Roglic's recent performances suggest he's a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Giro. Ayuso, impressed in Catalonia, will likely be Roglic's main rival for the Maglia Rosa.

Dark Horses and Podium Contenders

Other riders with legitimate podium aspirations include former Giro champions Richard Carapaz and Egan Bernal, as well as Mikel Landa. Additionally, cyclists like David Gaudu, Romain Bardet, Giulio Ciccone, and Antonio Tiberi could potentially emerge as dark horses in the general classification.

Riders like Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, and Thomas Pidcock are likely to focus on winning stages and wearing the pink jersey for a few days rather than competing for the overall victory.

Meanwhile, Filippo Ganna has ruled out participating in the Giro, opting instead to prepare for the Tour de France after a tough ride at Roubaix.

🇮🇹🇦🇱 Italy's famous cycling race, the Giro d'Italia, began its 2025 edition in Durres, Albania.

The first three stages of the race will take place in Albania (Durres - Tirana - Vlore). pic.twitter.com/HUcXeUrjJP

— kos_data (@kos_data) May 9, 2025

Giro d'Italia Route Details

The 108th Giro d'Italia features a route with two individual time trials (42.3km), six sprint stages, eight medium-mountain stages, and five high-mountain stages. The total elevation gain is 52,500 meters, though it's considered less demanding than some recent editions.

The 2025 Giro d'Italia route spans from Durres to Rome, passing through notable cities like Tirana, Siena, and Pisa, before culminating in a dramatic finale featuring iconic climbs like Mortirolo, San Valentino, and Sestriere.

Five key stages are expected to be particularly decisive, showcasing thrilling moments that could shape the outcome of the race.

Stage 1: Tirana Time Trial

The Giro d'Italia's opening stage features a 13.7km time trial in Tirana, which could set the tone for the rest of the race. Although short, this stage favors time trial specialists and may cause non-specialists to lose valuable seconds, potentially impacting their overall chances.

Gubbio-Siena Stage

The Gubbio-Siena stage features nearly 30km of gravel roads, divided into five sections, where riders will have to get “down and dirty” to gain an advantage. This challenging stage could play a crucial role in shaping the overall standings.

Lucca-Pisa Time Trial

The Lucca-Pisa stage features a 28.6km time trial, doubling the distance of the first one. This could significantly widen gaps between riders, potentially deciding the fate of the general classification.

Piazzola sul Brenta-San Valentino Stage

The stage to San Valentino could be a pivotal moment in the Giro d'Italia 2025. However, the rest day preceding it might reduce its impact, allowing riders to recover before tackling this challenging stage.

Verres-Sestriere Stage

The final decisive stage likely comes at Sestriere, with the climb to Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi, featuring 8km of gravel and steep gradients up to 12%. This stage promises intense drama and spectacle, potentially deciding the Giro's outcome.