Giro d'Italia 2025 Preview and Favorites

One of the most exciting and erratic editions of recent memory is expected from this year’s Giro d’Italia. Starting stages in Albania, challenging gravel sectors on Stage 9, iconic mountain climbs, including Mortirolo, and the absence of Tadej Pogačar – the door is wide open for a new unexpected champion to walk through.

This year’s Giro is a perfect storm of chance and challenge considering the starting list of riders and wildcard invitations. Over a somewhat varied parcours, riders will encounter early challenges, huge elevation climbs, and difficult tactical decisions to be made by team managers. If you’re considering betting on this year’s Giro – make sure to check out our comprehansive guide to the best cycling betting sites!

Detail	Information
Dates	May 9 – June 1, 2025
Total Distance	3,413 km
Number of Stages	21
Time Trials	2 (42.3 km total)
High-Mountain Finishes	5
Notable Climbs	Mortirolo, Colle delle Finestre, Monte Grappa
Gravel Sections	30 km (Stage 9, Siena)
Grand Finale	Rome city circuit

Giro d’Italia 2025 Favorites

Primož Roglič

After a high-profile move to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, Primož Roglič returns to the Giro d’Italia with a clear mission: to claim another Grand Tour title. With a decorated résumé that includes victories at the Vuelta a España and a memorable win at the Giro itself, Roglič brings a rare combination of explosive climbing power, time trial consistency, and exceptional mental resilience to the race.

This year’s course – featuring two time trials and brutal mountain finishes like the Mortirolo and Colle delle Finestre – plays directly into Roglič’s strengths. He thrives when tactics and timing are paramount, using his punchy acceleration to gain crucial seconds on key climbs. However, the cumulative toll of relentless elevation and successive mountainous stages could pose a significant challenge even for an athlete of his caliber. Managing energy across the Giro’s grueling third week will be critical.

Nonetheless, Roglič’s ability to handle pressure and read the tactical nuances of a race gives him a decisive edge. In a Giro designed to reward versatility and experience, few can match the Slovenian’s credentials – making him one of the strongest favorites for the 2025 maglia rosa.

Juan Ayuso

At just 22 years old, Juan Ayuso is already being heralded as cycling’s next Grand Tour phenomenon. Riding for UAE Team Emirates, Ayuso has quickly built a reputation as an exceptional time trialist and a natural-born climber – a rare and powerful combination that makes him a genuine threat for the maglia rosa. His fearless approach on technical descents and his ability to attack on steep gradients give him the tools to shine across the diverse terrain of the Giro d’Italia 2025.

However, this will be Ayuso’s first time tackling the Giro’s unique challenges, and the relentless demands of 21 brutal stages – including the early elevation tests and the punishing third week — could expose his inexperience. While his aggressive racing style might see him seize the pink jersey early, maintaining that form across three grueling weeks will be the true test of his Grand Tour maturity. Still, Ayuso’s raw talent and fearless ambition make him one of the most exciting prospects to watch in this year’s race.

Wout van Aert

Wout van Aert enters the Giro d’Italia 2025 as a true wildcard – a rider whose sheer versatility could disrupt the traditional Grand Tour script even tho he had major problems ever since that crash on previous year’s Vuelta, where he suffered severe damage to his knee. Although not a pure general classification contender, van Aert’s phenomenal engine, honed across the cobbles and classics, makes him a serious threat on a course featuring gravel sectors and punchy climbs. His immense power on flat and rolling terrain, combined with exceptional bike-handling skills and a devastating sprint, positions him perfectly to seize opportunities on unpredictable stages. We’ve already seen that he’s capable of finishing at the top spots at Spring Classics, which gives all his fans hopes for what might be his first Grand Tour of the season.

The major question surrounding van Aert is whether he can sustain the relentless climbing efforts demanded in the high mountains, where the featherweight specialists will come into their own. Yet, his ability to animate races, exploit tactical chaos, and thrive on tough transitional days could see him leave a major imprint on this year’s Giro. Expect fireworks whenever the terrain levels out or when the race plunges into the technical, challenging gravel sectors.

Egan Bernal

Once the golden boy of the peloton, Egan Bernal is on a determined path back to the top after enduring a long and arduous recovery from career-threatening injuries. Now leading the charge for INEOS Grenadiers at the Giro d’Italia 2025, Bernal remains one of the finest high-altitude climbers in the sport, with a proven Grand Tour pedigree that few in the field can match. His endurance, tactical awareness, and resilience in adverse conditions make him a formidable competitor when the road tilts steeply upwards.

The key question surrounding Bernal’s campaign will be whether he can rediscover the peak form that once made him a Tour de France winner. Even at 90% of his former brilliance, Bernal has the tools to mount a serious challenge for the podium. If his steady resurgence continues, the Giro’s relentless mountain stages could become the perfect stage for his triumphant return.

Richard Carapaz

Richard Carapaz returns to the Giro d’Italia with unfinished business and a reputation as one of the peloton’s most cunning and resilient Grand Tour specialists. The 2019 Giro champion, now riding for EF Education – EasyPost, is a master at sensing opportunity amid the chaos of a race. His aggressive climbing style, tactical intuition, and ability to thrive under pressure make him a dangerous opponent, particularly in a Giro as unpredictable and brutally challenging as the 2025 edition promises to be.

While Carapaz may occasionally lose time in individual time trials, his relentless spirit and tenacity often see him claw back advantages in the mountains, where his opportunistic attacks can destabilize even the strongest teams. With a parcours packed with high-altitude finishes and unpredictable stages like the gravel sector of Siena, Carapaz is perfectly positioned to capitalize on any moment of weakness from his rivals. If the race turns chaotic, expect Carapaz to be at the center of the action, seizing every chance to edge closer to another maglia rosa.

Tom Pidcock

Tom Pidcock arrives at the Giro d’Italia 2025 as one of the most intriguing prospects in the peloton. The Q36.5 rider has already proven his exceptional versatility across multiple disciplines – from cyclocross to mountain biking to road racing – and now looks to make a serious impact over three weeks of Grand Tour racing with his new team. Blessed with explosive climbing ability, razor-sharp bike handling, and a fearless racing instinct, Pidcock is particularly well-suited to this year’s Giro, where gravel sectors and technical descents will reward riders willing to take risks.

The question mark over Pidcock remains his endurance and consistency across the brutal demands of a full three-week race, especially with the towering mountains of the Mortirolo and Finestre looming late in the event. However, if he can manage his efforts wisely and stay within striking distance during the early stages, his aggressive style and tactical cunning could see him emerge as a major protagonist. Whether hunting stage wins or launching daring raids on selective days, Pidcock’s Giro campaign promises to be anything but predictable – and that’s exactly what makes him such an exciting wildcard for all of the cycling fans.

Tadej Pogačar’s Absence: A Game-Changer?

In a significant twist, Tadej Pogačar is skipping the 2025 Giro, focusing his efforts instead on defending his Tour de France crown and chasing all of the possible wins in Spring Classic races. We’ve already seen his dominance (he never finished below 2-nd place) in the one-day races he participated in this year, prooving that he’s very much capable to to take a yellow jersey again in July. Without Pogačar’s dominance, the Giro GC battle becomes a wide-open affair for all of the riders, and giving a “room to breathe”. Riders like Roglič, Ayuso, Bernal, and Carapaz can race with more freedom and less fear of a one-man show.

Stage Highlights

A Historic Start: Albania Beckons
For the first time ever, the Giro d’Italia starts in Albania, with Stage 1 from Durrës to Tirana. Far from an easy parade, the opening stages immediately challenge the riders with punchy climbs and significant elevation changes.

Stage 1: Medium mountain profile — early GC gaps possible.

Stage 2: Short technical TT in Tirana — specialist time trialists may take pink early.

This unusual start ensures riders cannot ease into form — mistakes in Week 1 could be catastrophic.

Stage 9 – Gubbio to Siena: 30 km of gravel sections – pure chaos expected.

Stage 16 – Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino: High mountains return with brutal gradients.

Stage 20 – Verrès to Sestrière: The Queen Stage – Colle delle Finestre (gravel climb) could decide the Giro.

Stage 21 – Rome Circuit: Likely a celebration sprint, but GC must be secured by then.

Every week offers a different type of battlefield, keeping both riders and fans on the edge of their seats.

GC-Deciding Sections
Beyond the high-profile days, smart bettors and fans should watch for these hidden traps:

• Early TT (Stage 2): Small gaps here could balloon by the first rest day.
• Gravel Day (Stage 9): Riders without cyclocross background could lose minutes.
• Double Mountain Weekend (Stages 15-16): Accumulated fatigue after consecutive tough days.
• Penultimate Stage (Stage 20): The Giro loves late drama, and the gravel climb at Finestre ensures fireworks.

The 2025 Giro is designed for attrition — the patient and tactically astute rider will thrive.

An Open, Unpredictable Giro

Without Tadej Pogačar, the 2025 Giro d’Italia becomes a rare blank canvas for emerging and returning stars. Primož Roglič carries the favorite’s burden, but Juan Ayuso, Wout van Aert, Egan Bernal, and Richard Carapaz all have clear pathways to glory.

From the gravel chaos of Siena to the alpine agony of Finestre, this year’s Giro will test every facet of a rider’s skill set.

Whether you’re betting or simply watching, expect surprises, heartbreak, and heroics over three epic weeks.
Mark your calendar – the fight for the maglia rosa begins May 9th!