Giro d’Italia 2021 — The Pink Race

At least professional road cycling is increasingly aiming for a normal season in 2021. The first major European stage race will therefore take place in May almost as usual. The 104th Giro d’Italia starts on 8 May 2021 with an individual time trial in Turin and finishes on 30 May 2021 in Milan. In between lie almost 3,480 kilometers, spread over 21 demanding stages.
The organizers have planned particularly spectacular stages for this year: among other things, the riders will tackle the Strade Bianche in Tuscany, a summit finish on the steep Monte Zoncolan, and the queen stage through the majestic Dolomites. In total, the riders will have to overcome 47,000 meters of elevation at this year’s Giro – a tour full of red-letter days for pure climbers.

Giro d’Italia 2021: The teams

At this year’s Giro d’Italia, 23 teams will start — one more than last year. On the start line are the 19 WorldTour teams, the automatically qualified ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix, as well as the three wildcard teams Bardiani, Eolo and Androni. The two German teams Bora-Hansgrohe and Team DSM are of course included.

And these are the participating teams (in alphabetical order):

1. AG2R Citroen Team - France
2. Alpecin Fenix - Belgium
3. Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec - Italy
4. Astana Premier Tech – Kazakhstan
5. Bahrain Victorious - Bahrain
6. Bardiani CSF Faizanè - Italy
7. Bora-Hansgrohe - Germany
8. Cofidis - France
9. Deceuninck-Quick Step - Belgium
10. EF Education-Nippo - United States
11. Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team - Italy
12. Groupama-FDJ - France
13. Ineos Grenadiers – Great Britain 
14. Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux - Belgium
15. Israel Start-Up Nation - Israel
16. Lotto-Soudal - Belgium
17. Movistar Team - Spain
18. Team BikeExchange - Australia
19. Team DSM -Netherlands
20. Team Jumbo-Visma - Netherlands
21. Team Qhubeka Assos - South Africa
22. Trek-Segafredo - United States
23. UAE Team Emirates - United Arab Emirates

Giro d’Italia 2021: The favorites

Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers)

The Colombian rider with Ineos Grenadiers has already won the Tour de France, the Tour de Suisse, Paris–Nice and the Tour of California despite his young age. For this year’s Giro, the 24-year-old is skipping the Tour de France — a clear message to all rivals: he wants the Maglia Rosa, and he can get it!
It will depend, however, on whether Bernal can rediscover his 2019 form, because last year didn’t go well for the young star. Plagued by persistent back problems, he had to abandon the 2020 Tour de France in the final week. If Egan Bernal starts the 104th Giro, he is unquestionably one of the top favorites.

Simon Yates (BikeExchange)

Simon Yates (BikeExchange) put himself among the favorites for the 104th Giro d’Italia, which begins on 8 May, with his commanding overall win at the Tour of the Alps. He is currently in outstanding form and will start the Giro full of confidence. Three years ago he had overall victory within reach before cracking badly on stage 19 and handing the Maglia Rosa to his compatriot Chris Froome. Last autumn he contracted COVID-19 during the Giro and had to abandon the race.
Given his individual strengths, he is definitely one of the leading contenders this year.

Alexandr Vlasov (Astana Premier Tech)

The Russian Alexandr Vlasov is considered an outsider for this year’s Giro d’Italia, but at 24 he undoubtedly belongs in the extended circle of favorites. Early this year he took over the role of team leader at Team Astana, not least because of his wins at last year’s Giro dell’Emilia and the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge. His second place at Paris–Nice this year was also impressive.
Alexander Vlasov is our dark-horse tip for this Giro: he speaks fluent Italian and knows the country and its roads like the back of his hand.

Emanuel Buchmann (Bora - Hansgrohe)

Another top favorite for overall victory is Emanuel Buchmann of Bora-Hansgrohe. His fourth place at the 2019 Tour de France won over many German fans. This year Buchmann will skip the Tour de France and take on the role of team leader for the Giro d’Italia. On his Giro debut he wants not just to ride, but to fight for big results again after a difficult COVID year in 2020. After his crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné he had to end his 2020 season early.
One thing is clear: Buchmann’s potential is huge. At his usual strength he is among the prime contenders for the overall win. The only concern could be that he has just two true mountain domestiques, Felix Grossschartner and Matteo Fabbro. We’ll see if that’s enough.

Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck - Quick-Step)

The 21-year-old Belgian was able to resume his Giro build-up only with a delay, but given his immense potential he is still a dark horse. Evenepoel was seriously injured (pelvic fracture) in a heavy crash at Il Lombardia, sidelining him for months and ruling him out of the 2020 Giro. Before that he had ridden four stage races in 2020 — and won all four, highlighted by the Tour de Pologne. For several weeks now he has been training hard with the goal of producing remarkable performances at the 2021 Giro. We will see whether the Belgian from Deceuninck-Quick Step can truly last three weeks on the bike.

Of course, these five riders are only a small selection of the potential contenders for the Maglia Rosa. Across the peloton you can find more favorites such as Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious), João Almeida (Deceuninck–Quick-Step) or Romain Bardet (DSM). Others like Ivan Sosa (Ineos Grenadiers), George Bennett (Jumbo–Visma), Marc Soler (Movistar) and of course Vincenzo Nibali (Trek–Segafredo) can also reasonably hope for an excellent placing in the GC.
And let’s not forget the sprinters — Peter Sagan and Caleb Ewan, for example — who will each target a stage win or two.

Giro d’Italia 2021: Stage overview

The mountains are calling! At the 2021 Giro d’Italia, from 8 to 30 May, the pros will have to climb almost 50,000 meters of elevation. When the route was presented, climbers were thrilled — sprinters and time-trial specialists a little less so. As so often, the overall victory will likely go to a strong climber this year as well. That said, there are also several days for other rider types on the program.
Three thrilling weeks await us — many will be thinking: “Finally!”

The route in numbers

› approx. 3,479.9 km with 21 stages in total
› 6 flat stages
› 6 mountain stages
› 7 hilly stages
› 2 time trials
› 8 summit finishes
› Longest stage: Stage 18, 231 km from Rovereto - Stradella
› Shortest stage: Stage 1, individual time trial in Turin - 9 km
› Highest point Passo Pordoi 2,239 m

Stage list

8 May Stage 1 Torino - Torino Tissot ITT, 8.6 km
9 May Stage 2 Stupinigi - Novara, 179 km
10 May Stage 3 Biella - Canale, 190 km
11 May Stage 4 Piacenza - Sestola, 187 km
12 May Stage 5 Modena - Cattolica, 177 km
13 May Stage 6 Grotte di Frasassi - Ascoli Piceno (San Giacomo), 160 km
14 May Stage 7 Notaresco - Termoli, 181 km
15 May Stage 8 Foggia - Guardia Sanframondi, 170 km
16 May Stage 9 Castel Di Sangro - Campo Felice (Rocca di Cambio), 158 km
17 May Stage 10 L'Aquila - Foligno, 139 km
18 May Rest day 1
19 May Stage 11 Perugia - Montalcino, 162 km
20 May Stage 12 Siena - Bagno Di Romagna, 212 km
21 May Stage 13 Ravenna - Verona, 198 km
22 May Stage 14 Cittadella - Monte Zoncolan, 205 km
23 May Stage 15 Grado - Gorizia, 147 km
24 May Stage 16 Sacile - Cortina d'Ampezzo, 212 km
25 May Rest day 2
26 May Stage 17 Canazei - Sega di Ala, 193 km
27 May Stage 18 Rovereto - Stradella, 231 km
28 May Stage 19 Abbiategrasso - Alpe Di Mera (Valsesia), 176 km
29 May Stage 20 Verbania - Valle Spluga-Alpe Motta, 164 km
30 May Stage 21 Senago - Milano Tissot ITT, 30.3 km

What awaits the riders on the 21 stages?

It has been known for some time that Turin and the Piedmont region will host the Grande Partenza of the 104th Giro d’Italia for the first time in ten years. The pros will fight on a pancake-flat 8.6-kilometer course for the first Maglia Rosa.
The second stage is tailor-made for sprinters. These specialists should decide the stage among themselves. It could well be that the winner is Caleb Ewan, considered the fastest sprinter in the bunch.
The third stage remains in Piedmont, heading south to Canale. Initially fairly flat, the route becomes increasingly hilly halfway through. It won’t be easy for sprinters; the profile could suit Peter Sagan.
On the fourth stage, the climbing starts in earnest. Beginning in Piacenza and ending in Sestola, the approach to Colle Passerino reaches gradients up to 16 percent. After that KOM there’s a steep 2.5-kilometer descent and then a slight rise to the line.
On the fifth day the fast men get their chance again. Caleb Ewan, Dylan Groenewegen, Peter Sagan and others can hope for a stage win. A bunch sprint at the finish is very likely. Over 177 kilometers there isn’t a single categorized climb, giving spectators time to enjoy the remarkable architecture at start and finish.
With the sixth stage, the Giro reaches Switzerland. We’ll see two mid-stage climbs and a massive final ascent. The Passo San Giacomo is 15.5 kilometers long with 900 meters of elevation gain. This will be the first real test for the climbers in this Giro.
Stage 7 should again be one for sprinters. The second half is consistently flat. A bunch sprint into Termoli is to be expected. Maybe we’ll already identify the dominant sprinter today.
On the eighth day the puncheurs — riders like Dan Martin or Simon Yates — should shine. The route goes from around 80 m a.s.l. to over 1,900 m at Bocca della Selva, then drops steeply back down to just 60 m, before the final rise to the picturesque town of Guardia Sanframondi.
The ninth stage is the hardest so far and all about ups and downs. Six significant climbs must be tackled. At 160 km it isn’t long, but it packs 3,400 meters of climbing. The highlight and a tough challenge for tired legs is the final ascent on an unpaved road — solid gravel skills required.
On the tenth stage to Foligno, a break could stick, though the sprinters’ teams will try not to miss a chance before the rest day.
After the first rest day, it’s straight into stage eleven and the gravel roads between Perugia and Montalcino. Riders face the hilly Strade Bianche with 35 km of gravel in the final sector. The Passo del Lume Spento even has to be climbed twice. Those who reconned the course on the rest day will be well prepared.
Day 12 is for the climbers, although breakaways may have the better chance for the stage win. The climb to the Passo del Carnaio and especially the very fast descent will likely shake up the field. Let’s hope there are no crashes and riders keep a cool head.

Stage 13 links the historic city of Ravenna with beautiful Verona. With a predominantly flat and very fast route, there’s enough time to take a closer look at these two wonderful cities.
On day 14 comes the queen stage of this year’s Giro d’Italia. After a very steep ascent to Forcella Monte Rest, the finale climbs to 1,730 m up Monte Zoncolan. Over the last 4 kilometers the average gradient reaches up to 13 percent. We’ll see how, for example, Simon Yates fares here.
At the end of the second race week, on day 15, the Giro reaches Slovenia. It’s very likely a perfect day for a breakaway — from start to finish.
Stage 16 is a massive climbing day into the heart of the Dolomites. Three steep passes beyond 2,000 m await: Passo Fedaia, Passo Pordoi and Passo Giau. The first, Passo Fedaia, already invites attacks and could greatly accelerate the race. For riders already behind, this may be the last chance to regain time. By Passo Giau we’ll surely see decisive splits. From there it’s all downhill to the finish.
After the second and final rest day, day 17 returns to the mountains with a new Giro summit finish on Sega di Ala, 11.2 kilometers long at an average of 9.8 percent.
The 18th stage, at 231 km, is the longest of this year’s Giro d’Italia. Apart from some late hills, it suits the sprinters, who will likely contest the finish in a bunch.
On day 19, three categorized climbs await, with an extremely steep final ascent to Alpe di Mera. In total, riders must overcome 3,700 meters of elevation.
As is customary, the penultimate stage is an absolutely epic mountain stage with a hefty 4,800 meters of climbing. Both the Passo San Bernardino and the Passo Spluga are above 2,000 m before the finish on Alpe di Motta. Even so late in the Giro, big time gaps — and possibly a shake-up of the GC — are possible.
On the final day, the winner will be decided by a 29.4-km individual time trial in Milan that is slightly but steadily downhill — a perfect chance for the specialists to give everything one last time. We’ll then see who takes the Maglia Rosa and lifts the “infinite trophy” overhead.

What can we expect from this year’s Giro?

The 2021 Giro d’Italia confronts the riders with 3,450 kilometers and 47,000 meters of climbing. Some of the top favorites are even removing the Tour de France from their race plans to focus on this event. This year’s Giro has it all — insanely steep climbs and blazing-fast sprint stages that will push everyone to the limit.
Last year there was constant change at the top of the general classification, and young riders in particular shone: João Almeida, Jai Hindley and a super-strong Tao Geoghegan Hart all fought for the win.
Ultimately, the 2020 Giro showed how important teammates are for the top contenders: Rohan Dennis repeatedly managed to split the peloton on the climbs and tow his Ineos teammate along.
The question again this year: will team strategy decide the race, or will lone attackers prevail — with decisive help from their domestiques? In any case, we’re excited and looking forward to gripping stages!

And how does the cycling year continue?

After the Giro comes the Tour de Suisse (6–13 June). With two weeks’ gap, the year’s highlight follows: the Tour de France (26 June–18 July).
The UCI is working toward a normal calendar for the rest of the year, with exciting stage races and classics into October. Hopefully the COVID-19 pandemic will ease as the racing calendar picks up speed.