Confirmed: these are the Giro d’Italia routes for men and women

During the official course presentation on Monday evening, the stages of the 108th edition of the Giro d'Italia and the 36th Giro d'Italia Women were revealed. As expected, the Giro's start will occur in Albania, where the riders will complete three stages. Furthermore, two time trials, a gravel stage, and a tough final week await. However, there are remarkably few arrivals uphill. The organizers of the Giro d'Italia Women have also gone the extra mile, with a World Championship stage as a finale.

Ironically, the postponed route presentation started almost 20 minutes later than planned. After a series of talks with important people present and a showcase of the trophies, the presentation could start.

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First week in Albania and gravel 

It took some time, but finally, on Monday evening, the presentation of this year's Giro, which will start in Albania, took place—a historic moment. The start of the Giro will not be easy, but it is not particularly difficult either. In 164 kilometers, it will go from Durazzo (Durrës) to the capital Tirana. Along the way, riders will find one-second and two third-category climbs. The second day features a 13.7-kilometer individual time trial through Tirana with a short climb halfway through. Stage three is also tricky with two categorized climbs, of which Qafa E Llogarasë is the toughest (10.7 kilometers at 7.4%).

It's time to head back to Italy. Stage four, from Alberobello to Lecce, is for the sprinters. Stage five has a trickier finale between Ceglie Messapica and Matera, but it doesn't get very steep anywhere. Stage six ends in Naples. Although it is uphill from the start, and there are two more climbs afterward, this stage, too, will go to the (stronger) sprinters.

On the seventh day, the GC riders must get going. Indeed, the race heads into the mountains, with a finale toward the ski resort of Tagliacozzo. Here, we have the Roccaraso and Valico della Forcella climbs, followed by a challenging final climb to the finish (11.7 km at 5.7%, with peaks of up to 12%).

The eighth stage takes riders from Giulianova to Castelraimondo, featuring an explosive finale. This stage has a lot of meters in elevation and can become a tough battle! Stage nine is one to put on your calendar. The riders go over five gravel sections during this Strade Bianche stage from Gubbio to Siena. The steep climb, Via Santa Caterina, is the famous Piazza del Campo finale in Siena. A crucial stage for the GC riders.

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Pogacar won last year's Giro d'Italia

Relatively quiet second week, but two famous climbs

After the rest day, the second week starts with a flat 30-kilometre individual time trial between Lucca and Pisa. The finish is next to the iconic Tower of Pisa. Stage 11 takes the riders from Viareggio to Castelnovo ne' Monti; they will pass the infamous Passo San Pellegrino on the way, a climb that returns to the Giro after a long absence. However, the finish is almost ninety kilometers later on a plateau.

On stage 12, the sprinters return to the mix as they head to Viadana. The 13th stage ends on Monte Berico (1.1km at 7.2%). Stage 14 is a stage that takes riders to Slovenia, with the finish in Nova Gorica. It will be another day for the sprinters. The second week ends with a mountain stage, of which Monte Grappa is the main feature. That said, the summit here is also far from the finish, and although there is still a second-category climb to be done later on, it seems more like a stage for the breakaway riders.

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Last year's GC riders in duel 

Tough final week full of challenging climbs 

The final week of the Giro begins with a very tough stage from Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino. After entering Trentino, a series of challenging climbs await, including the Valico della Fricca (12.9 km, max 10%), Candriai (10.1 km, max 13%), and the leaden Passo di Santa Barbara (12.7 km, average 8.3%, max 14%). The day ends with the final climb to San Valentino: 17.4 km long, with an average of 6.4%, with peaks up to 14%. This stage promises significant shifts in the GC and perhaps the first time the GC riders compete.

Stage seventeen could also shake up the GC. First, the peloton has to cross the Passo del Tonale and then the infamous Mortirolo. However, the finish is almost fifty kilometers later in Bormio. Stage eighteen brings calm before the storm, with sprinting in Cesano Maderno.

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Stage nineteen is filled with spectacle. Three challenging first-category climbs follow one another. After a run-up through the Dora Baltea valley, the Col Tzecore (16 km at 7.7%, max 15%), Col Saint-Pantaléon (16.5 km at 7.2%, max 12%), and Col de Joux (15.1 km at 6.9%, max 12%) are on the program. In the finale, the climb to Antagnod (9.5 km à 4.5%, max 11%) and a flat approach to the finish in Champoluc await. Shifts in the GC seem a certainty.

The decisive queen stage of the Giro passes through the Valle d'Aosta and Lanzo valleys, with iconic climbs. After the Col de Lys (13.7 km, max 12%) comes the legendary Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi, at 2178 meters; this 18.5-km climb (aver. 9.2%, max 14%) contains a 1694-meter elevation gain and an 8-km unpaved section. After a short descent, the final climb to Sestriere (16.2 km, 3.8% average) awaits. This is the fifth time the Finestre has been part of the Giro. Chris Froome made cycling history on these climbs as recently as 2018. Finally, a sprint stage follows in Rome.

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A tough Giro d'Italia Women in 2025 

The Giro d'Italia Women takes place in northeast Italy from July 6 to July 13, 2025. The riders will cover a total of 939.6 kilometers. The event starts with a 13.6-kilometer time trial through the streets of Bergamo. The second stage already includes a climb: the 99-kilometer ride from Clusone to Aprica, close to the famous Mortirolo pass. Although the first kilometers descend, the last 30 kilometers gradually climb with relatively low gradients.

The third stage will give the sprinters their first chance to show themselves. After the Passo del Tonale has been tackled, there will be plenty of time to bring the peloton back together. There will almost certainly be a sprint in Trento. Stage four will be a key phase of the Giro for women, where the GC will be tested for the first time. The stage leads from Castelo Tesino to Pianezze (Valdobbiadene), with a final climb to Pianezze that has a gradient of 7% over 11.2 kilometers.

Stage five will be the last 'easy' stage before the serious work begins. However, the sixth stage has constant climbs on the menu. The stage leads from Bellaria-Igea Marina to Terre Roveresche and essentially passes through the microstate of San Marino. Although the climbs are not long or particularly tough, the many short climbs make for a tricky and challenging day.

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Longo Borghini won last year 

A demanding finale will provide the necessary differences

The queen stage is scheduled for Saturday, July 12. This seventh stage contains four categorized climbs and four slopes that do not count toward the mountain classification. The decision will likely happen on the flanks of the final climb to Monte Nerone, a tough eight-kilometer climb with an average gradient of more than 8%.

The final stage follows large parts of the 2020 World Championships course and ends at the Imola race circuit. Significant differences are expected during this stage. The riders first have to climb the Cima Gallisterna (2.7 km with an average gradient of 6.4%, with a maximum gradient of 14%), followed by the climb to Mazzolano (2.8 km at 5.9%). The stage ends at Imola's famous car circuit.

Despite earlier reports, the Mortirolo does not return, but given the tough course, it is not necessary. Elisa Longo Borghini was present on the stage and saw a route that would undoubtedly suit her well.

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