Over 50,000 metres of altitude gain, a good 10,000 more than in the last edition, and yet, the organisers of the Giro d'Italia were unable to convince Tadej Pogacar to seek an encore, after the Giro-Tour double of the previous season.
In fact, the Slovenian world champion officially announced his decision not to participate in last year's pink race a few days after the route presentation.
Evidently, for one reason or another, the Cannibal of modern cycling understood that the 3,413.3 kilometres from Durres in Albania to Rome were not congenial to preparing for the great challenge scheduled for July on the roads of the Tour de France, where both he and Jonas Vingegaard will arrive, for the first time in the last three years, in top condition, without untimely injuries and, therefore, without alibis for them or their fans.
Not even the temptation of a small excursion into Pogacar's homeland of Slovenia - Nova Gorica - on stage 14 was enough to bring him back to the race. He will not be crowned emperor on June 1st against the backdrop of the Imperial Forums.
The favourites
Slovenian fans can't really complain, however, considering that the big favourite for the overall victory is another of their compatriots, Primoz Roglic, who already won the great Italian stage race in 2023 and who in Catalonia in March beat Juan Ayuso, who, at least on paper, should also be his main rival in this Giro.
In the last two years, the man who has raised his hands to the sky on the magic mountain of Montjuic has also imposed himself in the shadow of the Colosseum, turning the Volta a Catalunya into the real dress rehearsal ahead of the race for pink.
Having said that, the Spanish climber, protagonist of an impressive start to the season, is constantly evolving, and it cannot be ruled out that the overtaking of his more experienced Slovenian rival could happen in Italy. A
He also has a certain Adam Yates ready to help him and, if necessary for the good of the UAE Team, to take his place in the event of a crisis.
Outsiders
As for the rest of the riders who can legitimately have podium aspirations, there are special mentions for former Giro champions Richard Carapaz (2019) and Egan Bernal (2021), and of course for the ever-present Mikel Landa.
Cycling fans, however, will also have to keep an eye on Frenchmen David Gaudu and Romain Bardet and Italians Giulio Ciccone and Antonio Tiberi, who are aspiring to be the dark horses in the general classification.
As for Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, and Thomas Pidcock, barring any major surprises, their objective is not so much the overall victory as to put on a show, conquer the highest number of stages, and, if possible, wear the pink jersey for a few days.
Filippo Ganna, however, will not be there. The Piedmontese champion had initially planned a trip to the Giro, but he changed his mind and, after the unfortunate puncture at Roubaix, will take a breather before completing his preparation for his first Tour.
The route
The route comprises two individual time trials totalling 42.3 kilometres, six sprint stages, eight medium and five high mountain stages.
As we said, there will be 52,500 metres of total elevation gain in the 108th edition of the Giro d'Italia, although the feeling is that we are not facing the toughest Giro in recent years.
From Durres to Rome passing, above all, through Tirana, Siena (with its white roads) and Pisa before the grand finale with Mortirolo, San Valentino and Sestriere.
But let's see, in detail, the five stages not to be missed. The ones that will put on a show and where, in our opinion, the Giro d'Italia 2025 could be decided.
May 10th: Tirana-Tirana, 13.7 kilometres
In such a well-balanced race, getting off to a good start straight away and then not being forced to break away from the direct opponent in the mountains could prove decisive. This is not a very long time trial, but one for specialists in time trials and which, therefore, could cause those who are not specialists to lose a few precious seconds.
May 18th: Gubbio-Siena, 181 kilometres
White roads return to the Giro. In the almost 30 kilometres of gravel roads (29.5 kilometres), divided into five sections, we will see who is willing to get down and dirty to take the overall victory.
May 20th: Lucca-Pisa, 28.6 kilometres
The second and final time trial of the race has very similar characteristics to the first. With twice as many kilometres, however, meaning that the gaps could start to get much bigger.
May 27th: Piazzola sul Brenta-San Valentino, 203 kilometres
The first, real big stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025. However, it would have been much more decisive if they hadn't put in a rest day between the finish in Asiago, two days earlier, and this stage in San Valetnino.
May 31st: Verres-Sestriere, 205 kilometres
It's very likely that everything will be decided at Sestriere or on the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi of the Giro 2025, with its eight kilometres of gravel and gradients of up to 12%. A real guarantee of pain and spectacle.
