The route for the 2019 Giro d'Italia has been announced with an interesting mixture of three individual time-trials and five summit finishes which should attract a rounded mix of the world's best General Classification riders.
Starting on Saturday 11th May 2019 in Bologna, the route of the 2019 Giro d'Italia will cover 3,518km across Italy and San Marino before finishing with its third and final time trial, a potentially decisive 15.6km in the Roman amphitheatre in Verona.
Organisers have included the usual mix of classic climbs such as the Mortirolo Pass and Gavia Pass but the most attractive climb on show will be the Colle del Nivolet on Stage 13, the first time the Giro will have used this peak.
Giro d'Italia 2019: key information
Dates: Saturday 11th to Sunday 2nd June 2019
Start: 11th May, Bologna
Finish: 2nd June, Verona
Countries visited: Italy, San Marino
UK television coverage: Eurosport
Defending champion:Chris Froome
The hardest day could be that of Stage 13 to Courmayeur, a French-sounding town firmly in Italy that takes the riders to the Monte Bianco Skyway, a short day at 131km that packs in four challenging climbs.
If not, the day most could be dreading is Stage 16 from Lovere to Ponte di Legno. In 226km riders will climb over 5,000m of vertical elevation including the Passo Gavia - this year's Cima Coppi - and the Passo del Mortirolo.
Stage 15 will also look familiar as the Giro borrows the route of Il Lombardia with the longest stage of the race, 237km from Ivrea to Como, in which the climbs of the Ghisallo di Sorman and Civiglio are used.
As was already known, the race begins with a short uphill time trial in Bologna which while only 8.2km it will take riders, one by one, to the top of the Madonna di San Luca, a 2.1km climb averaging 9.7% in gradient. Stage 2 will also take place in Bologna.
The sternest test of the first week should fall on Stage 6 in which the peloton tackle an uphill finish into San Giovanni Rotondo in which organisers expect only a select group to reach the line in the lead group.
At the end of week one, the Giro then returns to the Emilia-Romagna region for 34.7km wine time trial that climbs 500m in elevation finishing uphill in San Marino, a tough test that could help shape the battle on General Classification and the longest of three individual time trials.
Organiser RCS has followed a clear theme of remembrance with stages that hark back to previous classic stages raced by the likes of Fausto Coppi and Charley Gaul in the past while also paying respect to victims of the L'Aquila earthquake a decade ago on Stage 7.
Defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) attended the 2019 Giro d'Italia route presentation alongside Elia Viviani (Quick-Step).
Froome was keeping his cards close to his chest by failing to confirm or deny his attendance at the race next season albeit in fluent Italian.
Giro d'Italia 2019 route
Giro d'Italia 2019 route: stage by stage
Stage 1: Saturday 11th May, Bologna - Bologna, 8.2km (ITT)
Full stage 1 preview: Giro 2019 to begin in Bologna with short uphill time-trial
Stage 2: Sunday 12th May, Bologna - Fucecchio, 200km
Stage 3: Monday 13th May, Vinci - Orbetello, 219km
Stage 4: Tuesday 14th May, Orbetello - Frascati, 228km
Stage 5: Wednesday 15th May, Frascati - Terracina, 140km
Stage 6: Thursday 16th May, Cassino - San Giovanni Rotondo, 233km
Stage 7: Friday 17th May, Vasto - L'Aquila, 180km
Stage 8: Saturday 18th May, Tortoreto Lido - Pesaro, 235km
Stage 9: Sunday 19th May, Riccone - San Marino 34.7km (ITT)
Rest day: Monday 20th May
Stage 10: Tuesday 21st May, Ravenna - Modena, 147km
Stage 11: Wednesday 22nd May, Carpi - Novi Ligure, 206km
Stage 12: Thursday 23rd May, Cuneo - Pinerolo, 146km
Stage 13: Friday 24th May, Pinerolo - Colle del Nivolet, 188km
Stage 14: Saturday 25th May, Saint-Vincent - Courmayeur, 131km
Stage 15: Sunday 26th May, Ivrea - Como, 237km
Rest day: Monday 27th May
Stage 16: Tuesday 28th May, Lovere - Ponte di Legno, 226km
Stage 17: Wednesday 29th May, Commezzadura - Anterselva Antholz, 180km
Stage 18: Thursday 30th May, Valdaora - Santa Maria di Sala, 220km
Stage 19: Friday 31st May, Treviso - San Martino di Castrozza, 151km
Stage 20: Saturday 1st June, Feltre - Croce d'Aune, 193km
Stage 21: Sunday 2nd June, Verona - Verona, 15.6km (ITT)
Giro d'Italia 2018: key information
Dates: Friday 4th to Sunday 27th May 2018
Start: 5th May, Israel
Finish: 27th May, Milan, Italy
Countries visited: Israel, Italy
UK television coverage: Eurosport
Defending champion: Tom Dumoulin
The 2018 Giro d'Italia route has been confirmed at a presentation in Milan. Some of the stages were already known, but this official confirmation of the route will stop the rumour mill and may give us a better indication of which riders will be competing.
The race will start in Israel, where the first three stages will be held, before transferring back to Italy for the remainder of the race.
The 2018 Giro d'Italia is the first of cycling's three Grand Tours to appear on the calendar and next year will be the first Grand Tour to start outside of Europe when it kicks off in Israel on Friday 4th May 2018.
The race occupies a springtime position between the Ardennes Classics and the Tour de France.
First held in 1909, the race is one of the oldest in cycling, and as such its pink Maglia Rosa leader's jersey has come to establish itself as one of the most iconic sights in the sport.
The 2017 race was won in style by Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) but his participation as defending champion has not been confirmed or denied by the rider or his team.
Chris Froome (Team Sky) has confirmed that he will take the start of the 2018 Giro, and if he won he'd be the defending champion of all three Grand Tours simultaneously.
Giro d'Italia 2018 route
Giro d'Italia 2018 route: stage-by-stage and race reports
Stage 1: Friday 4th May: Jerusalem - Jerusalem, 10.1km (ITT)
Stage 1 of the 2018 Giro d'Italia will be the first Grand Tour stage ever to take place outside of Europe, with its Grande Partenza in the Israeli capital of Jerusalem.
A short 10.1km time trial around the city will offer an early chance for powerful riders to secure pink ahead of a further two stages in Israel.
The route will avoid the Old Town with the official reason being to avoid narrow, winding streets. However, many believe this to be an avoidance of any potential security risks in area classified as 'occupied' by the United Nations.
Read more: Chris Froome crashes on Giro d'Italia time trial recon
Race report: Tom Dumoulin wins Stage 1 time trial taking the pink jersey
Read more: Stage 1 power breakdown: How Dumoulin took victory
Stage 2: Saturday 5th May: Haifa - Tel Aviv, 167km
The first road stage of the race, Stage 2 will take the peloton from the coastal city of Haifa, south, along the coast before finishing in Tel Aviv.
A predominately flat day, taking in wide, straight roads for much of the stage, it is expected that the day will be contested by the sprinters in the bunch.
Stage 2 will also see the race's first King of the Mountain climb when the race passes through Zikron Yakov.
Race report: Elia Viviani sprints to victory on Stage 2
Stage 3: Sunday 6th May: Be'er Sheva - Eilat, 226km
The final stage in Israel will have the race heading south all day on a long 226km stage from Be'er Sheva to Eilat.
Nestled between the borders of Jordan and Egypt, Eilat sits on the Red Sea and is noted for its calm waters and picturesque beaches. However, with a long 50km descent into the finish, sprinters will be battling against breakaway chancers for stage honours.
As the riders finish in Israel, they will be treated to an early rest day before the race resumes back in Italy, with a stage rumoured on the island of Sicily.
Race report: Viviani takes his second consecutive stage with sprint into Eilat
Rest/travel day: Monday 7th May
Stage 4: Tuesday 8th May: Catania - Caltagirone, 191km
Race report: Wellens wins punchy finish in Sicily
Read more: Digesting the numbers of Wellens's win
Stage 5: Wednesday 9th May: Agrigento - Santa Ninfa, 152km
Race report: Enrico Battaglin takes steep finish on Stage 5
Read more: Stage 5 by numbers
Stage 6: Thursday 10th May: Caltanissetta - Etna, 163km
The ever-grumbling volcano on the island of Sicily, Etna will feature as the 2018 Giro d'Italia's first mountain.
It was featured last year, albeit from a different approach, with its wide roads and stiff headwind leading to some rather mundane riding.
Etna comes in the first week again, and threatens to underwhelm with riders keeping their powder dry for tougher mountains ahead.
Stage preview: Stage 6 sees first summit finish on Etna
Race report: Chaves and Yates make it a Mitchelton-Scott 1-2
Stage 7: Friday 11th May: Pizzo Calabro - Praia a Mare, 159km
The 2018 Giro route is rare in that it is kind to the sprinters. Usually, the sight of a tough final week in the dolomites and a lack of flat stages deter the quick men.
We have counted at least eight stages that could be contested in a bunch quick, with Stage 7 to Praia a Mare being one of them.
The small climb close to the finish will see attacks but chances are the bunch will bring it back for their sprinters to contest.
Race report: Sam Bennett trumps Viviani to claim victory
Stage 8: Saturday 12th May: Praia a Mare - Santuario di Montevergine, 208km
Another summit finish on Stage 8 to Montevergine di Mercogliano yet this is unlikely to cause any serious shakeups on general classification.
Expect to see around 20 to 30 riders sprinting to the finish. This stage looks perfect for home favourite Diego Ulissi (UAE-Team Emirates), who will be looking hungry to add to his six Giro stage wins.
Race report: Movistar’s Richard Carapaz takes surprise win on final climb
Stage 9: Sunday 13th May: Pescosannita - Campo Imperatore, 224km
The Gran Sasso is a beautiful climb in the central region of Abruzzo, east of Rome.
The final climb to Campo Imperatore comes at the end of a long stage but is a rolling climb that is unlikely to cause any issues until the final 3km.
The Gran Sasso is steeped in cycling history. In 1999, the late Marco Pantani rode into pink with the stage victory. The Italian was later expelled from the race in a controversial manner after testing for a high hematocrit on Stage 20.
Race report: Simon Yates wins while Froome and Dumoulin lose time
Rest day: Monday 14th May
Analysis: How things stand after nine stages of the 2018 Giro d'Italia
Stage 10: Tuesday 15th May: Penne - Gualdo Tadino, 239km
Race report: Mohoric wins Stage 10 as Chaves drops out of contention
Read more: The numbers needed to drop Chaves and win the stage
Stage 11: Wednesday 16th May: Assisi - Osimo, 156km
Race report: Yates extends lead with Stage 11 win; Froome distanced
Read more: Yates's winning watts
Stage 12: Thursday 17th May: Osimo - Imola, 213km
Lovers of cars and Formula 1 hold your hats. The Giro is visiting the Imola, home of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari and the San Marino Grand Prix.
Race report: Bennett takes rain-soaked Stage 12 victory into Imola
Read more: How many watts do you need to attack from the peloton?
Stage 13: Friday 18th May: Ferrara - Nervesa della Battaglia, 180km
Another flat stage, a motivated Sam Bennett will no doubt be looking to add a third stage win. The usual threats of Elia Viviani and Sacha Modolo will be close at hand to also take victory.
Expect the GC riders to take it easy considering the day after will scale the terrifying Monte Zoncolan.
Race report: Viviani makes it a hat trick of stage wins
Stage 14: Saturday 19th May: San Vito al Tagliamento - Monte Zoncolan, 181km
Stage preview: Giro d'Italia's return to the feared Monte Zoncolan confirmed for 2018
Monte Zoncolan is one of the Giro d'Italia's most feared sons and has etched its name into Italian folklore with its epic stories.
The last time the race visited it slopes, Michael Rogers and Francesco Bongiorno climbed in what appeared to be slow motion. The Zoncolan is so brutal it even reduces the best riders to a zig-zag grind to the top.
Needless to say, this stage will be pivotal in the race for general classification.
Race report: Froome conquers Monte Zoncolan
Stage 15: Sunday 20th May: Tolmezzo - Sappada, 176km
The placing of this day could prove a stroke of genius from Mauro Vegni and RCS. Riders will undoubtedly have the efforts of Monte Zoncolan in their legs and could find themselves in trouble if they have struggled to recover.
I think this day could go to a GC rider who is down on his luck. Chris Froome or Miguel Angel Lopez anyone?
Race report: Yates extends his lead ahead of time trial
Read more: The watts of Yates to take third stage and Froome's Zoncolan power
Stage 16: Tuesday 22nd May: Trento - Rovereto, 34.5km (Individual Time Trial)
It is predominantly flat which will strike fear into the pure climbers still in with a chance with overall success. Over this distance, Dumoulin and Froome could put in excess of a minute into their riders.
Will Dumoulin have weather the Zoncolan storm well enough to ride into pink at the end of the day.
Nestled in the Veneto region, lovers of the Italian countryside will be treated to a spectacle on this day.
Stage report: Simon Yates keeps the Maglia Rosa as Rohan Dennis takes TT win in Giro Stage 16
Read more: Aru docked 20 seconds for illegal drafting in time trial
Read more: Giro d'Italia power stats: Dennis destroys the field
Stage 17: Wednesday 23rd May: Riva del Garda - Iseo, 155km
The last chance for the sprinters before Rome. It's rolling and no doubt the Italian ProContinental teams will be desperate to snatch a victory.
It could be a game of cat and mouse between Bora-Hansgrohe, Ef-Drapac and Quick-Step Floors and Androni-Sidermec, Bardiani-CSF and Wilier-Triestina.
Hopefully the constant presence of Gianni Savio's Androni is rewarded with victory.
Race report: Viviani beats Bennett to claim Stage 17 in sprint finish
Stage 18: Thursday 24th May: Abbiategrasso - Prato Nevoso, 196km
Three mountain stages back-to-back. This is perhaps the easiest and will most likely see the least moves from the GC riders.
If any attacks happen expect them in the final kilometre or two and even so the gaps could be small.
Race report: Maximilian Schachmann triumphs on Stage 18 while Simon Yates loses time
Stage 19: Friday 25th May: Venaria Reale - Bardonecchia, 181km
Before gravel became the cobble of the hipster, road race viewers had two opportunities to see the pro peloton hit broken road, Strade Bianche and the Colle dell Finestre.
The Finestre is truly a spectacle and can lead to unpredictable racing yet being so far from the finish, the risk is that it may produce a dud.
Hopefully, by Stage 19, the general classification race will still be open and we are treated to fireworks from the Finestre until the summit finish atop the Jafferau.
Stage 20: Saturday 26th May: Susa - Cervina, 214km
The last roll of the dice. If any rider is close to the podium or even the pink jersey, expect them to go on the offensive.
Could we see a Contador-esque long distanced attack from someone? Let's hope so.
With multiple climbs, expect this day to go to a true climber as opposed to the heavier GC riders.
Stage 21: Sunday 27th May: Rome - Rome, 118km
Turning its back on Milan, the Giro will finish in the nation's capital, Rome, with a short 118km stage around the city's narrow streets.
The general classification will be decided by the point, meaning the first few kilometres will probably consist of the pink jersey and his teammates drinking prosecco and frivolously celebrating.
Expect the day to be taken by an plucky, underdog sprinter who has bravely fought through the tough mountains to compete in this final stage
Giro d'Italia 2017: Final General Classification
1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 90:34:54
2. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar, at 0:31
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida, at 0:40
4. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ, at 1:17
5. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin, at 1:56
6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R, at 3:11
7. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo, at 3:41
8. Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors, at 7:04
9. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott, at 8:10
10. Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Drapac, at 15:17
Giro d'Italia 2018: Live TV guide
Live TV coverage of the 2018 Giro d'Italia from Eurosport
Stage 1: Friday 4th May
1130-1530 Live Stage 1 on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 1 highlights on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
Stage 2: Saturday 5th May
1130-1615 Live Stage 2 on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 2 highlights on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
Stage 3: Sunday 6th May
1015-1615 Live Stage 3 on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 3 highlights on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
Stage 4: Tuesday 8th May
1200-1630 Live Stage 4 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 4 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 5: Wednesday 9th May
1200-1630 Live Stage 5 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 5 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 6: Thursday 10th May
1200-1630 Live Stage 6 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 6 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 7: Friday 11th May
1200-1630 Live Stage 7 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 7 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 8: Saturday 12th May
1200-1630 Live Stage 8 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 8 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 9: Sunday 13th May
1200-1630 Live Stage 9 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 9 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 10: Tuesday 15th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 10 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 10 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 11: Wednesday 16th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 11 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 11 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 12: Thursday 17th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 12 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 12 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 13: Friday 18th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 13 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 13 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 14: Saturday 19th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 14 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 14 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 15: Sunday 20th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 15 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 15 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 16: Tuesday 21st May
1200-1645 Live Stage 16 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 16 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 17: Wednesday 22nd May
1200-1645 Live Stage 17 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 17 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 18: Thursday 23rd May
1200-1645 Live Stage 18 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 18 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 19: Friday 24th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 19 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 19 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 20: Saturday 25th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 20 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 20 highlights on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player
Stage 21: Sunday 26th May
1200-1645 Live Stage 21 on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
2100-2230 Stage 21 highlights on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Player
Giro d'Italia 2018: Start list
Team Sunweb
Tom Dumoulin (NED)
Roy Curvers (NED)
Chad Haga (USA)
Chris Hamilton (AUS)
Lennard Hodstede (NED)
Sam Oomen (NED)
Laurens Ten Dam (NED)
Louis Vervaeke (BEL)
AG2R La Mondiale
Alexandre Geniez (FRA)
Fracois Bidard (FRA)
Mickael Cherel (FRA)
Nico Denz (GER)
Hubert Dupont (FRA)
Quentin Jauregui (FRA)
Matteo Montaguti (ITA)
Clement Venturini (FRA)
Androni-Sidermec-Bottcchia
Francesco Gavazzi (ITA)
Davide Ballerini (ITA)
Manueal Belletti (ITA)
Mattia Cattaneo (ITA)
Marco Frapporti (ITA)
Fausto Masnada (ITA)
Rodolfo Andres Torres (COL)
Andrea Vendrame (ITA)
Astana
Miguel Angel Lopez (COL)
Pello Bilbao (ESP)
Jan Hirt (CZE)
Tanel Kangert (EST)
Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ)
Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP)
Davide Villella (ITA)
Andrey Zeits (KAZ)
Bahrain-Merida
Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA)
Manuele Boaro (ITA)
Niccolo Bonifazio (ITA)
Matej Mohoric (SLO)
Antonio Nibali (ITA)
Domen Novak (SLO)
Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR)
Giovanni Visconti (ITA)
Bardiani-CSF
Giulio Ciccone (ITA)
Somine Andreetta (ITA)
Enrico Barbin (ITA)
Andrea Guardini (ITA)
Mirco Maestri (ITA)
Manuel Senni (ITS)
Paolo Simion (ITA)
Alessandro Tonelli (ITA)
BMC Racing
Rohan Dennis (AUS)
Alessandro De Marchi (ITA)
Jean-Pierre Drucker (LUX)
Killian Frankiny (SUI)
Nicolas Roche (IEL)
Jurgen Roelandts (BEL)
Francisco VEntoso (ESP)
Patrick Bevin (NZL)
Bora-Hansgrohe
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Cesare Benedetti (ITA)
Sam Bennett (IRL)
Felix Grosschartner (AUS)
Patrick Konrad (AUS)
Lukas Postlberger (AUS)
Rudiger Selig (GER)
Leopald Konig (CZE)
Groupama-FDJ
Thibaut Pinot (FRA)
William Bonnet (FRA)
Matthieu Ladagnous (FRA)
Steve Morabito (SUI)
Georg Preidler (AUS)
Sebastien Teichenback (SUI)
Anthony Roux (FRA)
Jeremy Roy (FRA)
Israel Cycling Academy
Ben Hermans (BEL)
Guillaume Boivin (CAN)
Zakkari Dempster (AUS)
August Jensen (NOR)
Krists Neilands (LAT)
Ruben Plaza (ESP)
Kristian Sbaragli (ITA)
Guy Sagiv (ISR)
Lotto-Soudal
Tim Wellens (BEL)
Sander Armee (BEL)
Lars Yitting Bak (DEN)
Victor Campenaerts (BEL)
Jens Debusschere (BEL)
Adam Hansen (AUS)
Tosh Van Der Sande (BEL)
Jelle Vanendert (BEL)
Mitchelton-Scott
Esteban Chaves (COL)
Sam Bewley (NZL)
Jack Haig (AUS)
Chris Juul-Jensen (DEN)
Roman Kreuziger (CZE)
Mikel Nieve (ESP)
Svein Tuft (CAN)
Simon Yates (GBR)
Movistar
Carlos Betancur (COL)
Richard Carapaz (ECU)
Victor De La Parte (ESP)
Antonio Pedrero (ESP)
Dayer Quintana (COL)
Jaime Roson (ESP)
eduardo Sepulveda (ARG)
Rafael Valls (ESP)
Quick-Step Floors
Elia Viviani (ITA)
Eros Capecchi (ITA)
Remi Cavagna (CZE)
Michael Morkov (DEN)
Fabio Sabatini (ITA)
Max Schachmann (GER)
Florain Senechal (FRA)
Zdenek Stybar(CZE)
Dimension Data
Louis Meintjes (RSA)
Igor Anton (ESP)
Natnael Berhane (ERT)
Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
Ben King (USA)
Ben O'Connor (AUS)
Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (RSA)
Jaco Venter (RSA)
EF-Drapac
Nathan Brown (USA)
Brendan Canty (AUS)
Hugh Carthy (GBR)
Mitchell Docker (AUS)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Sacha Modolo (ITA)
Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL)
Michael Woods (CAN)
Katusha-Alpecin
Maxim Belkov (RUS)
Alex Dowsett (GBR)
Jose Goncalves (POR)
Viacheslav Kuznetsov (RUS)
Maurits Lammertink (NED)
Tony Martin (GER)
Baptiste Planckaert (BEL)
Mads Wurtz Schmidt (DEN)
LottoNl-Jumbo
Enrico Battaglin (ITA)
George Bennett (NZL)
Koen Bouwman (NED)
Jos van Emden (NED)
Robert gesink (NED)
Gijs Van Hoecke (BEL)
Bert-Jan Lendeman (NED)
Danny Van Poppel (NED)
Team Sky
Chris Froome (GBR)
David De La Cruz (ESP)
Philip Deignan (IRL)
Sergio Henao (COL)
Vasil Kiryienka (BLR)
Christian Knees (GER)
Wout Poels (NED)
Salvatore Puccio (ITA)
Trek-Segafredo
Gianluca Brambilla (ITA)
Niklas Eg (DEN)
Laurent Didier (LUX)
Markel Irizar (ESP)
Jarlinson Pantano (COL)
Mads Pedersen (DEN)
Ryan Mullen (IRL)
Boy Van Poppel (NED)
UAE-Team Emirates
Fabio Aru (ITA)
DArwin Atapuma (COL)
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Stake Vegard Laengen (NOR)
Marco Marcato (ITA)
Manuele Mori (ITA)
Jan Polanc (SLO)
Diego Ulissi (ITA)
Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia
Jakub Mareczko (ITA)
Liam Bertazzo (ITA)
Marco Coledan (ITA)
Giuseppe Fonzi (ITA)
Jacopo Mosca (ITA)
Alex Turrin (ITA)
Edoardo Zardini (ITA)
Eugert Zhupa (ALB)
Riders to watch at the 2018 Giro d'Italia
This far away from the race it is difficult to know who might take the start. But with stories about Chris Froome (Team Sky) possibly attempting the Giro-Tour double we can at least have a look at who might be riding and what their chances would be.
Chris Froome (Team Sky)
Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb)
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida)
Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
Thibaut Pinot (FDJ)
Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)
Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo)
Giro d'Italia 2017
Giro d'Italia 2017: Final General Classification
1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 90:34:54
2. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar, at 0:31
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida, at 0:40
4. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ, at 1:17
5. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin, at 1:56
6. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R, at 3:11
7. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo, at 3:41
8. Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors, at 7:04
9. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott, at 8:10
10. Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale-Drapac, at 15:17
Giro d'Italia 2017: Route and race reports
The complete route for the 2017 Giro d’Italia was announced at a presentation in Milan (despite much of it being accidentally made public beforehand), and with the 2017 Giro d'Italia being the 100th edition of the race there was much anticipation about what would feature.
Sure enough, race organiser RCS Sport has designed a fitting tribute as the race reaches its centenary milestone, acknowledging the rich history the Giro d’Italia has enjoyed: Beginning on Friday 5th May, the Italian Grand Tour will take in all but four of the 21 regions of Italy, scaling some of the race’s most iconic climbs and regions from years past.
Starting in the town of Alghero, the first three stages of the Giro all take place on the island of Sardinia, before a travel day takes the peloton to the island of Sicily for the race’s first summit finish at the end of stage four.
The first of two key individual time trials then takes place on stage ten and is 39.2kms long, while the second ITT, lasting 28km, is on the final stage of the Giro.
Almost 70km of time trials is a lot by modern standards, and could be the deciding factor in the race, but the 2017 Giro d'Italia also features five summit finishes - on stages four, nine and 16, as well as a brutal double up on stages 18 and 19.
The race makes a point of celebrating some of the famous climbs in its history, with stage 16 making its way up the Passo Dello Stelvio twice from two different sides. The Stelvio, at 2,758m, is also the 2017 Giro's Cima Coppi, or highest point.
Stage 18 looks to take the title of ‘queen’ stage, with riders tackling four King of the Mountains climbs before final KOM points are awarded at the stage’s summit finish.
Riders will first tackle the Passo Pordoi, rising to 2,239m, then the 2,200m Passo Valparola soon after. Next up is the Passo Gardena at 2,121m and the Passo di Pinei Panidersattel at 1442m high, before the final Pontives summit finish to cap off a testing day in the Dolomites.
Also honoured are some of the riders that are part of the rich history of the Giro d’Italia, with stage 11 beginning in Ponte a Ema near Florence, the birthplace of Gino Bartali.
Bartali’s great rival Fousto Coppi is remembered also, with stage 14 beginning in the village of Castellania in Piedmont, where he was born and also laid to rest.
The 13km, 8% average Santuario Oropa is the final climb of the stage, and recalls memories of Marco Pantani’s heroics during the 1999 race, when he punctured at the foot of the climb, chased back on and eventually sailed past his rivals.
Modern day Italian champion Vincenzo Nibali also has his place in Italian cycling acknowledged, as stage five will see the peloton finish in the ‘Shark’s’ hometown of Messina.
Giro d'Italia 2017 route: stage-by-stage plus race reports
Stage one: Alghero – Olbia, 203km
Race report: Lukas Postlberger wins chaotic opening stage with late solo move
Stage two: Olbia – Tortolì, 208km
Race report: Andre Greipel wins stage two and takes over race lead
Stage three: Tortolì – Cagliari, 148km
Race report: Fernando Gaviria sprints to victory in a nervous stage three
Rest/travel day
Stage four: Cefalù – Etna (Rifugio Sapienza), 180km (summit finish)
Stage five: Pedara – Messina, 157km
Race report: Gaviria takes second stage win
Stage six: Reggio Calabria – Terme Luigiane, 207km
Race report: Silvan Dillier wins stage six from breakaway
Stage seven: Castrovillari – Alberobello, 220km
Race report: Caleb Ewan claims his first stage win in an enthralling sprint
Stage eight: Molfetta – Peschici, 189km
Race report: Movistar’s Gorka Izaguirre wins stage eight while Jungels stays in pink
Stage nine: Montenero di Bisaccia – Blockhaus, 139km (summit finish)
Race report: Nairo Quintana unmatched on the summit finish to Blockhaus
Rest day gallery: The best of the Giro d'Italia 2017 so far
Stage 10: Foligno – Montefalco, 39.2km (ITT)
Race report: Tom Dumoulin inherits overall lead after TT win
Stage 11: Florence (Ponte a Ema) – Bagno di Romagna, 161km
Race report: Omar Fraile wins scintillating Stage 11
Stage 12: Forlì – Reggio Emilia, 237km
Race report: Fernando Gaviria takes win number three on Stage 12
Stage 13: Reggio Emilia – Tortona, 162km
Race report: Fernando Gaviria makes it four by winning Stage 13 of the 2017 Giro d'Italia
Stage 14: Castellania – Santuario di Oropa, 131km (summit finish)
Race report: Tom Dumoulin takes sensational stage win to extend overall lead on Quintana
Stage 15: Valdengo – Bergamo, 199km
Rce report: Bob Jungels outsprints Nairo Quintana to win in Bergamo
Rest day
Giro d'Italia 2017 Stage 16: Preview
Stage 16: Rovetta – Bormio, 227km
Race report: Vincenzo Nibali wins Stage 16, Tom Dumoulin loses time
Stage 17: Tirano – Canazei, 219km
Race report: Pierre Rolland wins solo in Canazei
Stage 18: Moena – Ortisei/St. Ulrich, 137km (summit finish)
Race report: Tejay Van Garderen takes first Grand Tour stage win while Dumoulin survives a mighty test
Stage 19: Innichen/San Candido – Piancavallo, 191km (summit finish)
Race report: Tom Dumoulin loses pink while Mikel Landa finally takes a stage win
Giro d'Italia 2017 Stage 20: Preview
Stage 20: Pordenone – Asiago, 190km
Race report: Thibaut Pinot wins Stage 20 of the Giro d'Italia as Dumoulin keeps Maglia Rosa in sight
Stage 21: Monza (Autodromo) – Milan, 28km (ITT)
Race report: Tom Dumoulin beats Quintana in final TT to win Giro d'Italia by 31 seconds
Giro d'Italia 2018: Start list
The Giro d'Italia will see its usual mix of 18 WorldTour teams and four wildcard ProContinental teams take to the start line in Jerusalem, Israel come the 4th of May.
Italian cycling will breath a slight sigh of relief to see three of its home ProContinental teams granted invites. They are Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec, Wilier Trestina-Selle Italia and Bardiani-CSF. The latter being somewhat of a surprise due to recent anti-doping violation within the team.
The final wildcard slot was handed, unsurprisingly, to the Israel Cycling Academy team. With Israel hosting the start of the race it was a given that the country's biggest team would take part.
The 2018 Giro d'Italia start list will be completed as and when teams confirme their rosters.
WorldTour teams
A2gr La Mondiale (FRA)
Astana Pro Team (KAZ)
Bahrain-Merida (BHR)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Bora-Hansgrohe (GER)
EF-Drapac (USA)
Groupama-FDJ (FRA)
Lotto Soudal (BEL)
Movistar Team (ESP)
Mitchelton-Scott (AUS)
Quick-Step Floors (BEL)
Team Dimension Data (RSA)
Team Katusha-Alpecin (SUI)
Team Lotto NL-Jumbo (NED)
Team Sky (GBR)
Team Sunweb (GER)
Trek-Segafredo (USA)
UAE Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Wildcard Teams
Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec (ITA)
Bardiani CSF (ITA)
Israel Cycling Academy (ISR)
Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia (ITA)