Cycling: 2025 Giro to Start in Albania, End in Rome
Rome: The 2025 and 108th Giro d’Italia is set to commence in Albania on May 9 and conclude in Rome on June 1, marking a journey that will traverse international borders into Slovenia, the home ground of current champion Tadej Pogacar. This announcement was made by race organizers in Rome on Monday night.
According to Ansa News Agency, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his excitement, describing the event as “like a fairy-tale” for Albania. The race will begin with three stages in Albania-Durres, Tirana, and Vlore-before moving through Italy. It will include a mix of time trials, stages designed for sprinters, and mountain stages, as outlined by Urbano Cairo, publisher of RCS and Gazzetta dello Sport, the organizers of the grand tour.
The Giro will feature approximately 38 km of dirt roads, including a significant 30 km stretch during the Siena stage and an 8 km segment on the Colle delle Finestre in the Piedmont Alps. This stage marks the third occasion the Colle delle Finestre will serve as the ‘Cima Coppi,’ the highest peak of the race, at 2,178 meters, on the penultimate stage.
An intriguing element of the race is the 14th stage, which will cross the Italian-Slovenian border into Nova Gorica, recognized as this year’s European Capital of Culture. Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni highlighted the potential for Italian cyclists to excel in various stages, noting the promise shown by riders like Antonio Tiberi and Giulio Pellizzari, who are expected to mature into top contenders.
Tadej Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France winner, is anticipated to be the cyclist to beat, having achieved the remarkable ‘Triple Crown’ of cycling last year by winning the Giro, Tour, and Vuelta. Rama emphasized the cultural and scenic significance of the race for Albania, likening it to a cinematic showcase of the country’s beauty.
Urbano Cairo, who also owns Corriere della Sera, expressed excitement about the Giro’s continued global appeal, with 200 countries connected and 700 million viewers worldwide. Italian officials, including Farm Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani, highlighted the promotional benefits of the race for Italy and its products.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri noted that the final sprint in Rome would cover key landmarks of the Jubilee, emphasizing the historical significance of the race route from Durres to Rome. The presence of top cyclists such as Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard remains uncertain, but confirmations have been received from notable riders like Primoz Roglic, Jay Hindley, and Egan Bernal.
The unveiling of the Giro d’Italia route also coincided with the presentation of the 36th Giro d’Italia Women at Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica. The women’s race will begin with a time trial in Bergamo on July 6, covering eight stages and 939.6 km, culminating in Imola on July 13. Last year’s winner, Longo Borghini, expressed her determination to compete and win again in 2025, citing her previous victory as the highlight of her career.