Race Preview: The pro peloton now moves on from the spring Classics to the Grand Tours. As always, first up is the Giro d’Italia. This year the Grande Partenza is in Turin and three weeks later we will know the overall winner in Rome. Here is the PEZ run-down on all the 21 stages.
*** Stay PEZ for the ‘Favourite Riders’ coming next. ***
Giro d’Italia 2024 | The Route
With 44,550 metres of uphill, the route of the 2024 Tour of Italy has less climbing than last year, which had more than 50,000 metres. This doesn’t mean it will be an easy race as it has two time trials, six summit finishes and a stage with a lot of gravel. There are four stages of more than 200 kilometres, which is also less than usual, but that fits in with the fashion for shorter stages in all the Grand Tours.
Not so many long (dull) stages
The Grande Partenza is in Venaria Reale, not far from the city of Turin in the north of Italy. It is very unlikely that we will see a sprinter in the pink jersey at the end of stage 1, as the opening stage is made for an attacking rider who can climb (Tadej Pogačar?) and then on day two there is the first summit finish. The Giro leaves the Turin region via the Tyrrhenian coast, towards southern Italy. This year, the furthest southerly point is the start of the tenth stage, in Pompei.
The big finish is back on the bumpy roads of Rome
From stage 10 the peloton heads back to the north, via the Adriatic coast. The final week (apart from stage 21 in Rome) is in Northern Italy, taking in the Alps and the Dolomites, here the GC men will fight for the 2024 Maglia Rosa. Once the battle has been decided in the mountains, the Giro peloton will fly south for the final stage in Rome, for a flat processional stage on the famous Roman roads.
2024 Giro d’Italia map
The 107th Giro d’Italia Stats:
21 stages
3,368.7 kilometres
44,550 climbing meters
Start in Venaria Reale
Finish in Rome
Rest days on Monday May 13 and Monday May 20
Two time trials
69.7 time trial kilometres
Six summit finishes
Four stages longer than 200 kilometres
12 stages between 150 and 200 kilometres
One HC category climb
10 first category climbs
9 second category climbs
10 third category climbs
12 fourth category climbs.
Stage 1 to stage 21
Giro d’Italia 2024 | Grande Partenza Regione Piemonte
Stage 1
Saturday May 4, Venaria Reale – Torino (136km)
La Grande Partenza is in Venaria Reale, in the province of Turin. The first stage finishes in the city of Juventus and Torino football clubs and short at only 143 kilometres. There are 3 categorised climbs, with a total of 1,850 metres of climbing. The first climb is the Cat.4 Berzano Di San Pietro (4.4km at 4.1%). Next is the famous climb of the Superga (4.7km at 9.2%). At 26 kilometres from the finish is the toughest climb of the day, the Colle Maddalena (6.1km at 7.4%). Then at the finish there is the San Vito, which is 1.4 kilometres, with and an average of 9.4% gradient. Could Tadej Pogačar go into pink this early?
Stage 1
Stage 2
Sunday May 5, San Francesco al Campo – Santuario di Oropa (161 km)
Day two finishes on the Santuario di Oropa, a Cat.1 climb. Another chance for the GC men to take control and go for victory and some overall lead time. From San Francesco al Campo, north of Turin, the peloton heads 161 kilometres northeast to finish on top of the Oropa (11.8km at 6.2%). There are two climbs on the route; the Oasi Zegna and the Nelva, but both are Cat.4, so the action will come on the summit finish.
Stage 2 profile
Stage 3
Monday May 6, Novara – Fossano (166 km)
Novara is the start town of stage three, a relatively flat stage of 166 kilometres with 831 meters of climbing. Early in the stage, there is one categorised climb, the Lu (4.3km at 3.2%), which is a Cat.4 climb. The sprinters should all be there in Fossano.
Stage 3 profile
Stage 4
Tuesday May 7, Acqui Terme – Andora (190 km)
The fourth day is not flat, but if the sprinters can handle 2,079 meters of climbing, most of which comes early in the 190 kilometre stage. After the Colle del Melogno (8.9km at 4.3%), the road is mostly flat. From the coastal town of Savona, the route goes south along the Mediterranean Sea for 60 kilometres. The finish line is in Andora, the first time the Giro has ever been here. Before the finish line there is the Capo Mele, which is on the route of the Milan-Sanremo, is only 1.6 kilometres at 4.3%, it could cause a split, but unlikely.
Stage 4 could end in a sprint…. maybe
Stage 5
Wednesday May 8, Genova – Lucca (179 km)
The stage follows the Tyrrhenian coast. The 179 kilometre stage has two climbs, two intermediate sprints and should be another chance for the sprinters, with only 1,700 meters of climbing. The first climb of the day is the Cat.3 Passo del Bracco, it is 15.2 kilometres long and has an average gradient of 3.9%. It comes more than 115 kilometres from the finish, so should affect the final. What could make a difference is the Montemagno (3km at 4.3%), but most sprinters should manage.
The port town of Lucca
Stage 6
Thursday May 9, Viareggio – Rapolano Terme (180 km)
Sixth stage is around Siena, the famous Strade Bianche area and there are three gravel sections. The peloton heads inland from Viareggio on the coast to Rapolano Terme. The stage is 180 kilometres with 1,900 metres of climbing. The first stretch of gravel comes 50 kilometres from the finish, around Vidritta and is 4.4 kilometres long. 600 metres later the second section comes and contains the second categorised climb of the day, the Grotti (2.5km at 6.0%). The third gravel section is 2.4 kilometres and ends with the second intermediate sprint of the day about 20 kilometres from the finish.
Stage 6 map and profile
Stage 7
Friday May 10, Foligno – Perugia (38.5 km)
The first time trial comes on day seven. The test is mostly flat, but there is a climb to the finish which also has KOM points. Despite the final climb, there are opportunities for the pure time trialist as the course is not too technical, just right for Filippo Ganna. On the flat part of the 38.5 kilometre course, the riders can use their strength on the long roads through the valley. The first timing point is at 16.6 kilometres, the second point is 6.5 kilometres from the finish, where the first part of the climb (1.5km at 10.7%) starts. From the top of this section the climb continues to the finish, 6.5km at 4.0%.
Time for Pogačar?
Stage 8
Saturday May 11, Spoleto – Prati di Tivo (153 km)
Stage 8 is the first real mountain stage. The stage has three categorised climbs, including the Prati di Tivo (14.6km at 7.0%), which the finish summit. The 153 kilometre stage has no flat and 3,750 metres of climbing. From the start in Spoleto it goes straight uphill. There is the long Cat.2 climb of 16.3 kilometres at the beginning of the stage, a Cat.3 before the final and a Cat.1, the Prati di Tivo, where the finish is.
Stage 8 map and profile
Stage 9
Sunday May 12, Avezzano – Naples (214 km)
At 214 kilometres, the ninth stage is the second-longest stage of this year’s Giro. The stage starts in Avezzano and finishes in Naples. The first part of the route goes inland before hitting the Tyrrhenian coast. The race then follows the sea towards the finish city of Napoli. In the last 35 kilometres there is the only categorised climb of the day. The Cat.4 climb is the Monte di Procida and it starts the finale. The stage will either go to a group of escapees or the sprinters.
Napoli stage 9 profile
Monday May 13, Rest day
Stage 10
Tuesday May 14, Pompei – Bocca della Selva (142 km)
The tenth stage of the Giro d’Italia is the third summit finish. The short stage of 142 kilometres starts Pompeii, just outside Naples. From the ancient Roman town on the coast, the peloton heads inland over a rolling course towards the final climb in Cusano Mutri. There are 2,850 metres of climbing. The climb of the Camposauro (6.1km at 7.8%), comes in the middle of the stage. The Bocca della Selva, the final climb, is 17.9 kilometres long with an average gradient of 5.6%. On the steepest sections, it ramps up to 10%.
Stage 10 profile
Stage 11
Wednesday May 15, Foiana di Val Fortore- Francavilla al Mare (207 km)
Stage 11 goes from Foiana di Val Fortore to Francavilla al Mare. The 207 kilometre stage is for the sprinters, their first chance of a victory in the second week. The stage is largely flat with 1,850 metres of climbing. The first part of the stage, inland, is slightly undulating. There is a Cat.3 climb, the Pietracatella. The route follows the Adriatic coast before reaching the finish. Two intermediate sprints and the final gallop is in Francavilla al Mare.
Stage 11 profile
Stage 12
Thursday May 16, Martinsicuro – Fano (190 km)
Stage twelve goes along the coast and takes in several short climbs. The first 50 kilometres are completely flat, but then hits a succession of short climbs with the Osimo (1.3km at 5.5%), Monsano (1.8km at 6%), Ostra (1km at 9.2%) and La Croce (1.5km at 6.7%), but there are also many uncategorised climbs with total of 2,100 metres of climbing.
Back to the beach – Stage 12 profile
Stage 13
Friday May 17, Riccione – Cento (179 km)
The 13th stage is 179 kilometres from Riccione to Cento. Only 150 metres of uphill, so a bit of an extra rest day before the tough final week. The stage is also nearly straight without any corners. A perfect stage for the sprinters, unless a break goes all the way.
Map and profile of stage 13
Stage 14
Saturday May 18, Castiglione delle Stiviere – Desenzano del Garda (31.2 km)
The second individual time trial of this Giro d’Italia is on the program on race day fourteen. The course that finishes at Lake Garda will undoubtedly provide beautiful pictures. The 31 kilometre race against the clock is a flat loop from Castiglione delle Stiviere to Desenzano del Garda. Due to the lack of a climb, the time trial is even more tailored to the pure speed rider. Filippo Ganna all over again?
Stage 14 profile
Stage 15
Sunday May 19, Manerba del Garda – Livigno (220 km)
Stage 15 could be one of the decisive days for the GC men of the 2024 Giro d’Italia. Despite a forced route change, it’s still a tough day in the saddle. The first categorised climb of the day is the Lodrino (7.3km at 4.5%), followed by the Colle San Zeno (13.9km at 6.6%). In the final there are the tough climbs of the Passo del Mortirolo (12.6km at 7.6%), Passo di Foscagno (15km at 6.4%) and the finish in Livigno is on the Mottolino ski area (4.7km at 7.7%). The last two climbs are above 2,000 meters.
Stage 15 – A day for the climbers
Monday May 20, Rest day
Stage 16
Tuesday May 21, Livigno – Santa Cristina Val Gardena (202 km)
From Livigno the peloton tackles the famous climb of the Passo dello Stelvio (20.2km at 7.2%) at the beginning of the stage. In the 202 kilometre long stage there are 4,350 metres of climbing. The stage starts with the Passo di Eira and the Passo di Foscagno, which were climbed in opposite directions the weekend before. Twelve kilometres from the finish is the top of the Passo Pinei (23.4km at 4.7%). From the summit, there is a fast descent to a short but steep final climb. The finish is on the Santa Cristina di Val Gardena (7,6km at 6.1%), a Cat.2 climb.
Stage 16 – A big day
Stage 17
Wednesday May 22, Selva di Val Gardena – Passo Brocon (159 km)
160 kilometre of up and down, from the Selva di Val Gardena winter sports area to Passo Brocon. One Cat.3 climb and four Cat.1 and Cat.2 climbs. In the first part of the stage there is the Passo Sella (8.9km at 7.4%) and the Passo Rolle (19.8km at 4.8%). The finale there is two climbs of the Passo Brocon. Via Albergo the peloton faces a climb of 13.3 kilometres at 6.5 percent. In the final, the mountain is climbed from Pieve Tesino. The finish is on top of the Passo Brocon (12.2km at 6.4%).
Stage 18
Thursday May 23, Fiera di Primiero – Padova (171 km)
All of the peloton will be looking forward to Stage 18. The 171 kilometre stage goes from Fiera di Primiero to Padova and has only 550 metres of climbing. There is a Cat.4 climb, the stage is flat or slightly downhill. From the start in Fiera di Primiero, the peloton heads towards the only climb of the day, Lamon (3.5km at 5.6%), it shouldn’t be a problem for the fast-finishers, those that are left.
Stage 18 profile
Stage 19
Friday May 24, Mortegliano – Sappada (157 km)
Stage 19 could be a day for the GC men, but they could be saving themselves for Saturday’s big mountain stage The 157 kilometre long mountain stage has 2,850 climbing metres from Mortegliano to Sappada. After a flat start there are two Cat.2 climbs and one Cat.3. The finale has three climbs: the Passo Duron (4.4km at 9.6%) Cat.2, the Sella Valcalda (6.5km at 5.9%) Cat.3 and the Cima Sappada (7.4km at 5.4%) Cat.2. After the final climb there are 7 kilometres of rolling road before the finish in Sappara, at an altitude of 1,235 metres.
Stage 19 – Second last chance
Stage 20
Saturday May 25, Alpago – Bassano del Grappa (181 km)
The 181 kilometre long penultimate stage has an elevation gain of 4,250 meters and goes from Alpago to Bassano del Grappa. After a relatively flat run-up, two tough climbs and long descents of a first category pass in the Veneto Prealps await the riders before they reach the day’s finish. These climbs of Monte Grappa (18.2 km at 8.1%) are over 18 kilometres long and have an average gradient of more than 8 percent. On the steepest strips, percentages of 14 percent are reached. Even though the riders climb the long mountain twice, they do not finish on top. The finish is after the second descent from the Grappa Mountain.
10 years ago Nairo Quintana was in pink on the Bassano del Grappa – Can that happen in 2024?
Stage 21
Sunday May 26, Roma – Roma (125 km)
The final stage of the 107th edition of the Giro d’Italia is set on the streets of Rome and gives the sprinters a chance for stage success. The stage gives the various winners plenty time to enjoy their victories The 122 kilometre stage starts with a loop to the Tyrrhenian coast. From there the peloton heads back inland towards Rome. The last stage has practically no climbing and finishes with a local circuit of 9.5 kilometres through the centre of the capital city. The sprinters will have their chance of glory at the finish.
The final on the streets of Rome
*** Stay PEZ for the ‘Favourite Riders’ coming next. ***
Like PEZ? Why not subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive updates and reminders on what’s cool in road cycling?
