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From 6 to 28 May, 51,300 metres of altitude gain and 3,448.6 kilometres, from Abruzzo to Friuli, the return of the uphill time trial, the difficult Monte Lussari with the grand finale in Rome.
8 stages for sprinters, three time trials for a total of 70.6 km, 7 mountain stages with as many uphill finishes including the uphill time trial of Mount Lussari, and 4 tough, very treacherous stages will be the menu of this 106th Giro d’Italia, which offers 51,300 metres of elevation gain in its total of 3,448.6 kilometres to cover. The start is in Abruzzo with an individual time trial on the cycle track of the Trabocchi coast and the grand finale in Rome where the Corsa Rosa will finish for the fifth time in its history. The only trespassing of the Giro will be in Switzerland with the uphill arrival in Crans Montana that will have in the stage the Cima Coppi of this Giro: the Colle del Gran San Bernardo with its 2,469 metres.
Stage by stage: expected difficulty from * to *****
Saturday 6 May – 1ST STAGE: COSTA DEI TRABOCCHI (FOSSACESIA MARINA-ORTONA) **| 18 km, altitude gain 100m
The Giro d’Italia, for the second time in its history after 2001, will start from the Abruzzo Region. The first time trial stage, on Saturday 6 May, will be almost entirely on the Ciclovia dei Trabocchi (Trabocchi cycle route), which follows the disused Adriatic railway. The first part is entirely flat with views of the trabocchi – the ancient fishing machines – and the sea as far as the port of Ortona where the road climbs for just over 1 km to the finish in the city centre.
Sunday 7 May – 2ND STAGE: TERAMO-SAN SALVO * | 204 km, altitude gain 1400m
A stage suitable for sprinters, with a start in Teramo and an undulating route in the first part. It then follows the coast with some inland excursions to climb Silvi Paese, Chieti and Ripa Teatina. Final along the coast to the sprint along the seafront of San Salvo Marina.
Monday 8 May – 3RD STAGE: VASTO-MELFI *** | 210 km, altitude gain 1400m
Departure from Vasto and arrival in Melfi in a stage clearly divided into two parts: the first up to the entrance to Basilicata is completely flat before meeting the Vulture mountains. It crosses the Vulture massif, touching on the Monticchio lakes before descending to Rionero and Rapolla for the final climb to Melfi.
Tuesday 9 May – 4th STAGE: VENOSA-LAGO LACENO *** | 184 km, altitude gain 3500m
The first Apennine stage goes over a series of asperities to accumulate 3500 metres of altitude difference, the one from Venosa to Lago Laceno, the first uphill finish of the Giro.
Wednesday 10 May – 5TH STAGE: ATRIPALDA-SALERNO ** | 172 km, altitude gain 2400m
Space is given to the fast wheels in the peloton with the Atripalda-Salerno and the subsequent 6th stage, where the pure sprinters will still have to win the sprint given the route is not entirely flat.
Thursday 11 May – 6TH STAGE: NAPLES-NAPLES ** |156 km, altitude gain 2800m
Departure from Naples, arrival in the Campania capital after passing through Somma Vesuviana, Pompei, the Chiunzi pass, Amalfi, Positano, Capo di Mondo, Sorrento, Castellammare di Stabia, Torre Annunziata, Torre del Greco, Portici and Naples again. A stage that already promises to be beautiful for the landscapes, waiting to see how the race will go.
Friday, 12 May – 7TH STAGE: CAPUA-GRAN SASSO D’ITALIA (CAMPO IMPERATORE) **** | 218 km, altitude gain 4000m
The second uphill finish of the Giro and first above 2000 metres is at Campo Imperatore on the Gran Sasso d’Italia (2135 m), starting from Capua. After a long approach there is the classic climb to Roccaraso and the Piano delle Cinque Miglia then a long descent to the foot of the Gran Sasso. The ascent to Campo Imperatore is an interminable climb of almost 45 km broken by a false-flat.
Saturday 13 May – 8TH STAGE: TERNI-FOSSOMBRONE *** | 207 km, altitude gain 2500m
Here is a moving stage with the walls of the Marche region deciding the finale. The final 60 kilometres encompass practically the entire elevation gain (2500 metres). They climb the Cappuccini (about 3 km with gradients of up to 19%), the Monte delle Cesane (about 7 km with gradients of up to 18%) and after the Montefelcino climb again, the Cappuccini, whose summit, 5 km from the finish, is the ideal springboard for those who want to win the stage.
Sunday 14 May – 9TH STAGE: SAVIGNANO SUL RUBICONE-CESENA **** |33.6 km, altitude gain 50m
The first week of the Giro closes with an entirely flat time trial for specialists, the one from Savignano al Rubicone to Cesena (Technogym Village) after 33.6 km.
Monday 15 May rest-day
Tuesday 16 May – 10TH STAGE: SCANDIANO-VIAREGGIO ** | 190 km, altitude gain 2400m
After the first day of rest, the peloton will tackle two stages suitable for the fast wheels in the peloton: it begins with Scandiano-Viareggio, which has in the Passo delle Radici – at km 80 – a possible ally for those who want to blowup the sprint finish.
Wednesday 17 May – 11TH STAGE: CAMAIORE-TORTONA ** | 218 km, altitude gain 2100m
The Giro enters Liguria with another stage suitable for sprinters, who once over the Castagnola Pass will have 40 km of descent to march down to the final sprint.
Thursday 18 May – STAGE 12: BRA-RIVOLI *** |179 km, altitude gain 2300m
The Giro changes register with the Bra-Rivoli: a mixed stage characterised by three segments that can be summarised in the hill-flat-mountain triptych. After the first hilly part, it then crosses the Po Valley for about 60 km passing the finish line before tackling the demanding climb of the Colle Braida passing by the Sacra di San Michele. The last 20 km are undulating until reaching Rivoli.
Friday 19 May – 13TH STAGE: BORGO FRANCO D’IVREA-CRANS MONTANA ***** | 208 km, altitude gain 5100m
The first Alpine stage goes from Borgofranco d’Ivrea to Crans Montana, in Switzerland. It will be the only stage of this Giro. It climbs the Great St. Bernard Pass (2469 m – Cima Coppi) a good 34 km long without excessive gradients. You then pass the Croix de Coeur (15 km x 1350 m difference in altitude), another over-2000 pass. Second descent of over 22 km and after a short flat final ascent to Crans Montana from an unusual side compared to the usual approaches to the resort.
Saturday 20 May – 14TH STAGE: SIERRE-CASSANO MAGNAGO **|194 km, altitude gain 1600m
Another stage suitable for sprinters that will start from Sierre to Cassano Magnago before the ‘mountain in the city’ stage, Bergamo-Bergamo the following day.
Sunday 21 May – 15TH STAGE: SEREGNO-BERGAMO ****|191 km, altitude gain 3600m
The climbs to be tackled can be terrain for every type of attack. After a few kilometres we climb the Valcava with its steep slopes, entering the province of Bergamo. First passage into town (not the finish) to climb the hairpin bends of Selvino. Descent over Bracca and Sedrina to return to Bergamo through the finish line (strappo della Boccola). It then tackles the Roncola from the Barlino side to descend back to Bergamo to the finish line in the city.
Monday 22 May rest-day
Tuesday 23rd May – 16TH STAGE: SABBIO CHIESE-MONTE BONDONE *****|198 km, altitude gain 5200m
After the second and final day of rest, here comes the second big stage of the Giro. The Sabbio Chiese-Monte Bondone stage takes place all at relatively low altitudes, but accumulates over 5000 metres of elevation gain divided between very hard climbs and others that are rideable. First part along the western shore of Lake Garda to reach Trentino at Riva del Garda. We then climb the Passo di Santa Barbara (average around 10%) and in quick succession the Passo di Bordala. Fast descent to Rovereto from where you enter Vallarsa and then turn towards the Folgaria plateau via Serrada. Challenging descent to the Adige valley at Calliano and after the only short flat stretch of about 10 km, the climb up Monte Bondone from the Aldeno side with its changes in gradient with peaks of up to 15%.
Wednesday 24 May – 17TH STAGE: PERGINE VALSUGANA-CAORLE *|192 km, altitude gain 300m
We ‘breathe again’ with a completely flat stage from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle before a three-day crescendo.
Thursday 25 May – 18TH STAGE: ODERZO-VAL DI ZOLDO ****|160 km, altitude gain 3700m
A short but intense mountain stage. After a few kilometres from the start we climb up the Cansiglio from the classic Vittorio Veneto side (Passo la Crosetta) to enter the Alpago area and ride along it until we reach the Piave valley. After Longarone you will touch Pieve di Cadore to climb the Forcella Cibiana without a rest and, unprecedented 2023, after Forno the climb of Coi with its almost 4 km over 10% and peaks at 19%. From there it will be 5 km to the finish divided equally between downhill and uphill pedalling.
Friday 26th May – 19TH STAGE: LONGARONE-TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO (RIFUGIO AURONZO) *****|182 km, altitude gain 5400m
Here is the tappone Dolomitico, the one from Longarone (in 2023 the 60th anniversary of the Vajont tragedy will be commemorated) to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. After the approach through the Agordino area, we face more than 100 km that encompass practically the entire altitude difference of the stage, with no rest between climbs. Once in Arabba, the route climbs the Campolongo Pass followed by the Valparola Pass, which leads into the ‘Holy Staircase’ of Dolomite climbs, consisting of the Giau Pass (Selva di Cadore side about 10% average), the Tre Croci Pass and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo with its gradients of up to 18%.
Saturday 27th May – 20TH STAGE: TARVISIO-MONTE LUSSARI *****|18.6 km, altitude gain 1050m
Extremely demanding individual time trial. The first 10 km or so are flat or slightly downhill, mainly along the Alpe Adria cycle route, and allow high speeds to be developed. Once at the Torrente Saisera (intermediate time trial), about 8 km paved in concrete begin, leading to the Sanctuary. The real climb in 7.5 km offers gradients around 12% average with the first 4.8 km at 15% (comparable to the central section of the Zoncolan). Undulating final part with a short climb (up to 22%) at the entrance to the village followed by a short descent and an ascent to the finish.
Sunday 28 May – 21st ROUTE: ROME-ROME *|115km, altitude gain ?
That’s it, the winner is already wearing the pink jersey. All that remains is the final catwalk to the Fori Imperiali. The 106th Giro d’Italia hits the Italian capital for the grand finale. The stage will be a closing showcase featuring an 11.5-km circuit of the centre of Rome, to be repeated 10 times. The route will touch a number of historical landmarks such as the ‘Homeland Altar’, the Senate Palace, the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla, before the finish at the Imperial Fora, near the Colosseum.