For the 15th time in its storied history, the Giro d’Italia kicks off outside Italy — and for the first time, from Albania, with a dynamic and promising opening stage.

The 184 registered cyclists will immediately face a short but explosive route (164 km) between Durrës and Tirana. The terrain includes a 13.5 km climb in Gracen at a 5.2% gradient, followed by a double ascent in Surrel (4.9 km at 5.4%), offering the perfect conditions for riders like Wout Van Aert, Tom Pidcock, or Mads Pedersen — all dreaming of wearing the pink jersey in the 108th edition of the Giro.

“I’ve already worn the leader’s jersey in the Tour de France and La Vuelta. Wearing the pink jersey would be a dream,” said Van Aert.
The Belgian rider from Visma-Lease a Bike is still regaining form after suffering an infection during the Amstel Gold Race on April 20.

Italy places its hopes on Antonio Tiberi and Giulio Ciccone. The rider from Abruzzo, who recently made a name for himself with a second-place finish at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, is aiming to perform well in these early stages.
“I’ve trained hard, I feel great, and my goal is to do well,” said Ciccone. “We have a team built for stage wins, and Mads Pedersen is our key man. The atmosphere is strong, and that’s our main target. After three weeks on the road, you never know what could happen — but for now, stages are my main focus.”

In his Giro debut, Pidcock leads the Swiss team Q36.5, bringing big ambitions and an eye on the pink jersey.

Other overall contenders, including Primoz Roglic and Juan Ayuso, may also seize the opportunity to showcase their form today.
“I feel good, I’m happy, and ready to relive the emotions of 2023,” said Roglic, one of five former Giro champions racing this year, alongside Nairo Quintana (2014), Richard Carapaz (2019), Egan Bernal (2021), and Jai Hindley (2022).

While the first two weeks promise excitement — especially stage 9 from Gubbio to Siena with 30 km of Strade Bianche gravel roads, and stage 11 featuring the climb to Alpe San Pellegrino (1,623 m) — the race will likely be decided in the final days. Mountain stages in Champoluc and Sestriere precede the grand finale in Rome, which includes a Vatican crossing in tribute to Pope Francis and the newly elected pope.

With last year’s winner Tadej Pogacar absent, along with Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, the favorite remains 35-year-old Primoz Roglic — who could become the oldest winner in Giro d’Italia history.

He’ll be supported by 2022 champion Jai Hindley and Colombian Dani Martínez.
His main rival appears to be 22-year-old Spaniard Juan Ayuso, already boasting 13 career victories, including five this year and the overall title at Tirreno–Adriatico.

Among the other key international contenders are brothers Adam and Simon Yates, Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz, Basque rider Mikel Landa, and Frenchman Romain Bardet.