The Giro d’Italia 2025 kicks off May 4—and with no Tadej Pogačar or Jonas Vingegaard on the start list, it’s Primož Roglič who towers above the rest. 

The 35-year-old Slovenian isn’t just the most accomplished Grand Tour rider in the field—he’s fresh off humbling one of his main Giro rivals, Juan Ayuso, in Catalunya, schooling the young Spaniard with a clinical ride on the final stage into Barcelona.

Now, Roglič sets his sights on pink. And everything—from the course, to his form, to the strength of his Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe team—suggests he’s ready.

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This year’s Giro opens with three historic stages in Albania before flying to southern Italy for an early rest day. From there, it’s a rugged ride north, stacked with climbs and plot twists.

The numbers tell one story: 52,500 meters of climbing, the most since 2020, and just 42.3 kilometers of time trials—tilting the race toward the climbers. But the route tells another. Most major climbs—like the Alpe San Pellegrino, Monte Grappa, and Mortirolo—sit far from the finish, forcing GC hopefuls to decide: wait and defend, or risk everything with a long-range attack?

There are just two summit finishes: Stage 7 to Tagliacozzo (12.6 km at 5.4%) and Stage 16 to San Valentino (17.4 km at 6.4%). But perhaps the most pivotal day is Stage 20. The peloton tackles the Colle delle Finestre—this year’s Cima Coppi, gravel and all—before a twisting descent and a short, final Category 3 climb to Sestriere. It’s not a summit finish in name, but it will ride like one.

2025 Giro d'Italia Favorites

Roglič’s rivals know it. Ayuso and Adam Yates form a potent UAE Team Emirates duo. Simon Yates gets the backing of Visma–Lease a Bike, while Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and Mikel Landa (Soudal–Quick-Step) try to punch above their teams’ collective weight.

But make no mistake—this is Roglič’s Giro to lose. He’ll look to build a cushion in the time trials and defend with force in the high mountains. And if he can ride like he did in Catalunya, few will match him.

The pink jersey is up for grabs. But the road from Tirana to Rome is full of traps—and only the bold will survive.

Giro d’Italia 2025 Stages

• 09/05 – Stage 1: Durrës to Tirana – 164 km, 2015 m climbing
• 10/05 – Stage 2 (ITT): Tirana to Tirana – 13.7 km, 115 m climbing
• 11/05 – Stage 3: Vlorë to Vlorë – 160 km, 2989 m climbing
• 13/05 – Stage 4: Alberobello to Lecce – 187 km, 685 m climbing
• 14/05 – Stage 5: Ceglie Messapica to Matera – 144 km, 1480 m climbing
• 15/05 – Stage 6: Potenza to Napoli – 226 km, 2582 m climbing
• 16/05 – Stage 7: Castel di Sangro to Tagliacozzo – 168 km, 3457 m climbing
• 17/05 – Stage 8: Giulianova to Castelraimondo – 197 km, 3777 m climbing
• 18/05 – Stage 9: Gubbio to Siena – 181 km, 2458 m climbing
• 20/05 – Stage 10 (ITT): Lucca to Pisa – 28.6 km, 125 m climbing
• 21/05 – Stage 11: Viareggio to Castelnovo ne’ Monti – 185 km, 3685 m climbing
• 22/05 – Stage 12: Modena to Viadana – 172 km, 1751 m climbing
• 23/05 – Stage 13: Rovigo to Vicenza – 180 km, 1452 m climbing
• 24/05 – Stage 14: Treviso to Nova Gorica – 186 km, 828 m climbing
• 25/05 – Stage 15: Fiume Veneto to Asiago – 214 km, 3961 m climbing
• 27/05 – Stage 16: Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino di Brentonico – 199 km, 4879 m climbing
• 28/05 – Stage 17: San Michele all’Adige to Bormio – 154 km, 5722 m climbing
• 29/05 – Stage 18: Morbegno to Cesano Maderno – 144 km, 1695 m climbing
• 30/05 – Stage 19: Biella to Champoluc – 166 km, 4918 m climbing
• 31/05 – Stage 20: Verrès to Sestriere – 203 km, 4713 m climbing
• 01/06 – Stage 21: Roma to Roma – 141 km, 794 m climbing