Favorites stage 21 Giro d'Italia 2024 | A tour of (modified) key points in Rome for the final 'pizza points'

This stage is nearly identical to the one Mark Cavendish won last year, with one notable change: the finish is now on the opposite side of the Colosseum, one kilometer earlier. This means the big turnaround near the famous landmark won’t be part of the final lap.

Starting in Rome, the riders head towards the coast of Lido di Castel Fusano. After reaching the turnaround point there, they head back to the Italian capital. The route then includes eight local laps, providing ample time to pass the Colosseum and other iconic sites.

There isn’t much else to say about this stage, but the final kilometers are particularly interesting for the sprinters. Just before the final three-kilometer mark, the route gets technical with a turnaround at one and a half kilometers from the finish. In the last kilometer, there’s a gentle left turn followed by a sharp right turn in the final five hundred meters.

The finish is on the cobblestones of Via di San Gregorio, with a final straight of only 350 meters. Timing will be crucial once again!

Climbs
None.

Times
Start: 3.35 PM
Finish: Around 6.43 PM

Fortunately, it will be dry in Rome on Sunday. We wouldn't want to think about the cobblestones in the city center being wet, so we're very happy that it will be 27 degrees Celsius and perfect racing weather!

The dynamics in this Giro d'Italia have become clear by now. This applies to the sprinters' stages as well, which have been dominated by two riders: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step). These two have managed to drag themselves over the mountains for three weeks and now have another well-deserved chance in Rome.

Milan has the support of his powerful train at the German-American team, consisting of Daan Hoole, Jasper Stuyven, Edward Theuns, and Simone Consonni. These men have managed to set things up perfectly every time so far, although Milan couldn’t follow the wheel on Thursday. Merlier took full advantage of that, thanks in part to the perfect help from Bert Van Lerberghe.

The outsiders have had to admit defeat so far: Aussies Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) graciously acknowledged that they fell short against the big two men, which the Colombians Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) and Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE-Team Emirates) would agree with. For the latter, being a teammate of Tadej Pogacar, it remains to be seen if he will participate in the sprints at all.

Alberto Dainese (Tudor) is another dangerous contender in the third week, while the other sprinters will be hoping for a miraculous day: Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ), Stanislaw Aniolkowski (Cofidis), Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-Kometa), Tim van Dijke (Visma | Lease a Bike), Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-Premier Tech), Madis Mikhels (Intermarché-Wanty), Tobias Lund Andresen (DSM-Firmenich PostNL), and perhaps even Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) would be happy with a podium finish.

The latter might even attempt something from an attack, as well as usual suspects Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost), Edoardo Affini (Visma | Lease a Bike), and Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech).

Top favorite: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) en Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Outsiders: Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE-Team Emirates), Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) en Fernando Gaviria (Movistar)
Long shots: Alberto Dainese (Tudor), Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ), Stanislaw Aniolkowski (Cofidis), Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-Kometa), Tim van Dijke (Visma | Lease a Bike), Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-Premier Tech), Madis Mikhels (Intermarché-Wanty), Tobias Lund Andresen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) en Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)