Date: Wednesday, May 28
Distance: 155km
Start: San Michele all’Adige
Finish: Bormio
Start Time: 12:50 CEST
Estimated Finish: 17:12 CEST
Mortirolo: The Myth, The Test, The Decider?
Every time the Giro d’Italia scales the Mortirolo, history echoes. Cyclists don’t just climb it—they suffer through it. Lance Armstrong once dubbed it the hardest climb he ever rode. That wasn’t hyperbole. Hidden in the rugged Eastern Alps, the Mortirolo might lack postcard beauty, but it more than compensates with raw, unrelenting gradients and mythical status.
The legend was truly born in 1994, when Marco Pantani blitzed up its slopes, dropping defending champion Miguel Indurain and riding into folklore. Today, the summit is crowned “Cima Pantani” in his honor—an eternal tribute to one of Italy’s most beloved climbers.
Unlike previous editions where the Mortirolo’s influence was muted by early placement, this year’s route sets it up as the last major climb—though it still sits 48km from the finish. The catch? It’s tackled from the Monno side—long and punishing (12.6km at 7.6%) but missing its infamous walls of pain. The impact might be less dramatic, but the potential for GC shakeups remains.
Before reaching the Mortirolo, riders face the Passo del Tonale—a climb that punches above its category two label. At 15.2km with a 6% gradient and peaking above 1,800m, it will already leave legs softened. Thin air and fatigue could wreak havoc in the final ascent, especially if the GC battle turns chaotic.
Stage 17 Odds & Favorites
🏆Best odds for betting on Giro d’Italia 2025 available at Campeon Bet!🏆
| Rider | Odds (Top 3) |
|---|---|
| Richard Carapaz | 3.50 |
| Giulio Pellizzari | 5.00 |
| Isaac Del Toro Romero | 5.40 |
| Wout Poels | 6.00 |
| Thomas Pidcock | 7.00 |
| Wout Van Aert | 7.40 |
| Romain Bardet | 7.40 |
| Derek Gee | 8.00 |
| Nicholas Prodhomme | 8.00 |
| Marco Frigo | 8.00 |
| Christian Scaroni | 8.00 |
| Pello Bilbao | 8.40 |
| Michael Storer | 9.00 |
| Lucas Plapp | 9.00 |
| Max Poole | 9.00 |
| Andrea Vendrame | 9.00 |
| Juan Ayuso Pesquera | 9.00 |
| Filippo Zana | 9.00 |
| Simon Yates | 9.00 |
| Georg Steinhauser | 11.00 |
| Nairo Quintana | 11.00 |
Wearing the maglia rosa, Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) enters stage 17 under pressure. Signs of cracking on stage 16 open the door for riders like:
- Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost): A lethal third-week attacker who thrives in chaos.
- Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike): Within 30 seconds of pink and riding sharp.
- Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech): Gaining momentum and now a major threat.
- Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers): Showing flashes of vintage form.
Don’t discount the Italians either. After a home-nation 1-2-3 in stage 16, expect fireworks from:
- Damiano Caruso and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)
- Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), especially after a big GC jump yesterday
Breakaway Watch: Climbers on the Hunt
If the GC riders play cat-and-mouse, a breakaway could steal the show. Expect moves from:
- Michael Storer (Tudor)
- Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL)
- Pello Bilbao, Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious)
- David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ)
- Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana) – eyeing KOM points
Additional dark horses include Rémy Rochas, Marco Frigo, Edoardo Zambanini, Filippo Zana, Luke Plapp, Jefferson Cepeda, Nairo Quintana, Georg Steinhauser, and Carlos Verona—the latter fresh off a stage 15 win.
Prediction
Expect a fierce battle between opportunists and contenders. But with the terrain suiting a long-range raid, we’re backing Marco Frigo to deliver Israel-Premier Tech’s first win of this Giro. With tactical nous and solid legs, he could be the one to conquer Bormio today.
Stage 17 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia promises attrition, altitude, and adrenaline. Whether you’re tracking the pink jersey or eyeing betting odds, the Mortirolo is set to test every rider’s resolve. Don’t blink—this could be the day the GC implodes.
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