The 2025 Giro is set for a showdown: Roglič faces fierce rivals - two big names confirmed
Cycling
Derek Gee and Pello Bilbao have announced their full focus on the 2025 Giro d'Italia. Gee, who found his footing as a GC contender in 2024, is eager to continue his growth, while Bilbao returns to a race where he has found success in the past.
The 27-year-old Gee was undoubtedly one of the revelations of the season. The Canadian rider for Israel-Premier Tech had already caught the attention in 2023 with numerous near-miss podiums in the Giro and made a significant leap forward in 2024. He surprised many by finishing third at the Critérium du Dauphiné and decided to target the general classification at the Tour de France, where he finished an impressive ninth on his debut.
Gee, who gained prominence in track cycling in recent years, is heading into his third season at the WorldTour level, with the Giro d’Italia marked as a key target. Despite winning the combativity award in the 2023 Giro, he came away without a stage win, motivating him to make his mark in 2025.
"His career really began at the Giro, so we’re excited to see him return," said team manager Kjell Carlström in a press release. "After a top-ten finish in his first Tour de France, he will continue to develop as a GC rider. In the Tour, he’ll aim for stage wins, but in the Giro, he’s going for the overall classification."
"It's great to be heading back to the Giro," Gee said. "That was where I rode my first Grand Tour, and I still remember how passionate the fans were. This time, I’m coming back with a completely different mindset, but I’m just as excited. There will be a bit more pressure, and my own expectations are higher too. That’s motivating—it’s a chance to prepare thoroughly and aim to finish as high as possible in Rome."
Read more below the photo.
Bilbao also returns to the Giro
For Bahrain Victorious, Pello Bilbao will be the man leading the team at the 2025 Giro. After focusing on Antonio Tiberi in 2024, the experienced Spaniard is getting another chance. Bilbao has a strong history at the Giro, finishing sixth in 2018 and fifth in both 2020 and 2022. He skipped the race in 2023 and 2024 to focus on the Tour de France. In 2023, he achieved great success with a stage win and sixth place overall, but this past season he was forced to abandon early.
In an interview with Relevo, the now 34-year-old Bilbao reflected on Bahrain Victorious’ challenging 2024 season. "It was disappointing, but in 2023 we overperformed as a team. Everything went our way, and in 2024 we faced a lot of issues. I’m really motivated to return to the Giro—it’s the Grand Tour where I feel the most comfortable. I’m always in my element there."
"The Tour has given me a lot, but the Giro has always been special to me," Bilbao continued. At the Giro, he plans to aim for the general classification while also chasing stage wins with his characteristic grinta. "Last season, I lacked the instinct to shine, even when I was at my best. I faced too many setbacks, but that’s part of the sport."
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024