Stelvio, Sterrato and all new climb of Mottolino feature in the 2024 Giro d'Italia
The iconic Passo dello Stelvio, the white roads of Tuscany and a tough new climb all feature in the route of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, which was unveiled on Friday
The 107th edition of the Italian Grand Tour will begin in Piemonte on May 4th in a southwards in an anti-clockwise direction down to Pompei and then head north along the Adriatic coast into the Dolomites and a plane flight to Rome three weeks later on May 26th.
The 2024 route includes two individual time trials and six mountain finishes.
Next year's race will open with a Grande Partenza in Turin, before a category-one summit finish on day two in Biella.
Stage 3 from Novara to Fossano is an opportunity for the sprinters in the Giro peloton, but with a slightly uphill finish that may prove tricky to some challengers.
Stage 4 will be from Acqui Terme to Andora, while stage 5 will take the riders from Genova to Lucca.
On day six, the flat tarmac will then give way to gravel tracks, when sectors of Strade Bianche's famous sterrato will take over the race route.
Stage seven will then bring the first of two individual time trials. Finishing on an ascent in Perugia, this initial race against the clock stretches out 37.2km from Foligno and promises to force gaps between the GC favourites.
The first week will then close with two challenging stages: a mountains test on day eight, finishing atop the Prati di Tivo, followed by a winding course into Napoli on stage nine.
Second Week
The second week will leave the famous volcanic site of Pompeii, heading north towards along the Adriatic coast.
The start of stage 11 will take place in Foiano di Val Fortore and the 203km route will take the riders to a finish in Francavilla al Mare. Stage 12 from Martinsicuro to Fano is 183 kilometers long and features small climbs that invite for a winner to be found from a breakaway group.
Stage 13 is an easy 179-kilometer ride from Riccione to Cento. The climbers in the Giro peloton will take the opportunity to recover and regain as much energy as possible for the challenges to follow.
Stage 14 will be contested on May 18. The stage will be the second individual time trial of next year’s Giro and will be 31 kilometers long and held on a flat course, finishing on the shores of Lake Garda.
Stage 15, the race's longest at 220km, is also one of its most difficult. Leaving Lake Garda, the peloton will head into the Alps, via Switzerland, and finish on a new climb in Livigno - the Mottolino - whose summit is yet to be laid with asphalt.
Third Week
Another rest day then follows, before the iconic Stelvio returns on stage 16, after a four-year absence. Cycling fans around the world will be thrilled to learn the Cima Coppi will be part of the stage 16 route. This will be the highest point of the 2024 Giro d’Italia. The 200km stage route takes the riders from Livigno to Santa Crostina Valgardena.
Stage 17 will be considerably shorter, at 154km, but just as tough, finishing with a double ascent of the Brocon Pass in the Dolomites. The five-starred stage takes place on May 22 and the climbs are expected to deliver a decisive effect on the general classification.
Stage 18 on May 23 will take the riders to Padova and the Sprinters will enjoy the flat terrain and the climbers will recover from the excruciating mountain efforts of recent days.
Stage 19 is a possible opportunity for a breakaway group. The 154-kilometer route concludes in Sappada.
After two easier days, the penultimate stage 20 features a double ascent of the Monte Grappa, before a descent to the line in the foothills.
On 26 May, the winner of the 2024 Giro d'Italia will be crowned on the streets of Rome, with a 6 lap city circuit.
Primož Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) won the 2023 edition of the race, taking the pink jersey off Geraint Thomas's shoulders in a penultimate day individual time trial. The reigning champion is likely to defend his title in 2024, this time in the colours of his new team, Bora-Hansgrohe.
In Friday's presentation, organiser RCS sport also showcased the women's Giro, for which it has taken over the rights.
The Giro d'Italia Women's race will take place between Juy 7th and 14th, with the route expected to be unveiled in the next month.
2024 Giro d'Italia Stages
1 - 4 May Venaria Reale Torino 136km Hilly
2 - 5 May San Francesco Al Campo Santuario di Oropa 150km Hilly
3 - 6 May Novara Fossano 165km Flat
4 - 7 May Acqui Terme Andora 187km Flat
5 - 8 May Genova Lucca 176km Hilly/Flat
6 - 9 May Viareggio Rapolano Terme 177km Hilly
7 - 10 May Foligno Perugia 37.2km ITT
8 - 11 May Spoleto Prati di Tivo 153km Mountains
9 - 12 May Avezzano Napoli 206km Hilly/Flat
10 - 14 May Pompei Cusano Mutri 141km Flat
11 - 15 May Foiano di Val Fortore Francavilla Al Mare 203km Flat
12 - 16 May Martinsicuro Fano 183km Hilly/Flat
13 - 17 May Riccione Cento 179km Flat
14 - 18 May Castiglione Delle Stiviere Desenzano Del Garda 31km ITT
15 - 19 May Manerba Del Garda Livigno (Mottolino) 220km Mountains
16 - 21 May Livigno Monte Pana 202km Mountains
17 - 22 May Selva di Val Gardena Passo Brocon 154km Mountains
18 - 23 May Fiera di Primiero Padova 166km Flat
19 - 24 May Mortegliano Sappada 154km Hilly/Flat
20 - 25 May Alpago Bassano Del Grappa 175km Mountains
21 - 26 May Rome Rome 126km Flat