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Giro d'Italia, Italy

7 - 29 May

Preview

Startlist, Classifications
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

It's Giro d'Italia time again folks. If you are a fan of Italian cycling this is a good year to be alive. The BiciRace.com office has been abuzz with all the anticipation and drama that this year's edition promises. Go to any bar and you'll probably see two businessmen throwing down an espresso while embroiled in a debate over whether Cunego will repeat his incredible Giro d'Italia victory of a year ago. Such is the passion that this race generates among the Italians.

The 88th Giro d'Italia flourishes with all the beauty of a grand tour. The race consists of 20 seriously long, challenging and diverse stages. Beginning in the hot and mellow South, the race moves to the mountainous and the painful North. The final stage will end in Milano, where the next great champion will wear the pink winner's jersey (la maglia rosa).

The party will kick off on 7 May with a 1.15K twilight prologue in Reggio di Calabria. From there the riders will head in a northerly direction where the sprinters will reign. You would have to be smoking something to bet against Alessandro Petacchi taking a string of victories in these flat early stages. Don't be surprised to see Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) bumping elbows with the fast-men in the flat to rolling hill stages. For a GC man he packs a mean sprint and the bonuses on offer will help to solidify his place on the general classification.

Stage 8 is an individual TT, from Lamporecchio to the Renaissance capital of Florence (15 May, 41.5K). Here the Giro should start to see the forming of the first serious time gaps in the gruppo.

After crossing the Po Valley, the riders will head towards the Dolomites. The GC will get a great shock to the system, and we will see who are the contenders and who are the pretenders. The riders will face a painful stage 11 (19 May) to Zoldo Alto. Even more painful will be two days later when the riders face stage 13 (21 May). In stage 13, the riders will tackle the Ortisei and the Passo delle Erbe.

Stage 14 offers no relief, from Egna - Livigno (210K), taking the rides over the Stelvio pass (Passo dello Stelvio). Standing at 2758 meters and featuring 46 lung searing turns, this year's Cima Coppi is no joke and a force to be dealt with. After the beast of the Stelvio Pass, the riders descend down to Bormio before climbing the Passo di Foscagno, and then on to Livigno.

The following three days offer some rest. The riders have a mellow stage, passing Lake Como and Lecco, followed by a rest day, to gossip and predict the final winner. Then there is one more "mellow" stage, taking the riders south to Varazze.

Finally, the riders are on to the final part of the 88th Giro d'Italia. Only four stages to go but three will be very decisive and painful. Stage 17 (26 May) to Limone Piemonte (Colle di Tenda), Stage 18 (27 May) a 31K TT around Torino and Stage 19 (28 May) to Sestriere. All three stages are sure to produce some exciting results. Stage 19 tackles Sestriere twice and also includes the Colle delle Finestre. The Colle delle Finestre is more cow path than race route, the final 8.5K being gravel and dirt. The inclusion of this climb harks back to the days of Bartali and Coppi. The riders will be cursing this, but the tifosi will be grinning ear to ear.

All will be forgotten as the riders race into Milano, one rider wearing the maglia rosa. Milano will be a sprinters stage which is sure to light up the streets and fashion center of Milano. Expect the overall leader to be clad head to toe in pink (including his bike) sipping champagne with his teammates and hamming it up for the cameras. Stay tuned to BiciRace.com for the results and reports of this year's Giro d'Italia.
- Paco of BiciRace.com