2025 Giro d'Italia Round-Up

The Grand Tour Returns: Giro d’Italia 2025

The Giro d’Italia, one of cycling's three revered Grand Tours, returned in spectacular fashion for its 108th edition in 2025. Starting for the first time in Durrës, Albania on May 9th, and finishing beneath the historic backdrop of Rome’s Colosseum on June 1st. The race stretched across 21 stages, 3,443.3 kilometers, including everything from cobbled streets, punishing gravel, grueling alpine climbs and 2 technical time trials.

The peloton was packed with talent; former winners, rising stars, and seasoned contenders all looking to add the coveted Maglia Rosa to their palmarès. With Italy’s passionate crowds lining the roads and unpredictable spring weather influencing tactics, the Giro provided not just sporting drama but emotional highs and lows that captivated fans worldwide.

What unfolded over three weeks was a tactical masterpiece, an ever-evolving contest of attrition, explosive attacks and resilient defenses. British rider Simon Yates, long admired for his climbing ability and stage-racing savvy, executed a race of patience and precision, seizing his opportunity in the final mountain stages to claim the overall title. But he wasn’t the only star: young Isaac Del Toro emerged as a new force in the GC fight, while riders like Richard Carapaz, Mads Pedersen, and Lorenzo Fortunato lit up the mountains and sprints alike.

Red Bull KM Classification: A New Dimension to the Giro

New for 2025, the Red Bull KM classification added tactical flair and time bonus sprints to 19 of the 21 stages. Each “Red Bull Kilometer” awarded 6, 4, and 2 bonus seconds to the first three across the designated point. Riders fought fiercely for these seconds, with the sprints often dictating breakaway tactics and GC strategies mid-stage. 

Giro d’Italia 2025: Race Highlights

There were more that a few twists and turns throughout the tour including many well timed attacks, as well as a few brave ones.

Mads Pedersen was the star sprinter taking hold of the Maglia Ciclamino after first day and dominating the category until the end. Lorenzo Fortunato took the climbers Maglia Azzurra after stage 3 and wore until the end.

Isaac del Toro deservedly took home the Maglia Bianca for young riders for an outstanding first Giro performance where the Mexican wore the Maglia Rosa for 9 days.

While individual brilliance often steals the spotlight, the 2025 Giro d'Italia also highlighted the importance of team dynamics. UAE Team Emirates-XRG clinched the final team classification, demonstrating consistent performances across various terrains and stages. Their collective strength and strategic prowess were evident throughout the race, contributing significantly to the overall excitement and competitiveness of the event.

However, Simon Yates masterful attack on the penultimate day to sieze his first Giro GC victory (his second Grand Tour GC) will be long remembered. 

Key Highlights:

• Stage 1 (May 9): Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) wins the opening stage in a sprint finish, donning the first Maglia Rosa.
  
• Stage 2 (May 10): Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) dominates the 13.7 km individual time trial in Tirana, taking the overall lead.
  
• Stage 9 (May 18): Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) claims the Maglia Rosa after a strong performance on the gravel sectors leading to Siena, with Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) winning the stage.
  
• Stage 17 (May 28): Del Toro extends his lead with a solo victory in Bormio, showcasing his climbing prowess.
  
• Stage 20 (May 31): Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) launches a decisive attack on the Colle delle Finestre, overtaking Del Toro to seize the overall lead.
  
• Stage 21 (June 1): Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) wins the final stage in Rome, while Yates secures his first Giro d'Italia title.
  

2025 Giro d'Italia Results

Final General Classification:

1. Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) – 82h 31' 01"
   
2. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) – +3' 56"
   
3. Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) – +4' 43"
   
4. Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) – +6' 23"
   
5. Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) – +7' 32"
   

Jersey Winners:

• Maglia Rosa (Overall): Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike)
  
• Maglia Ciclamino (Points): Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
  
• Maglia Azzurra (Mountains): Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
  
• Maglia Bianca (Young Rider): Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
  
• Team Classification: UAE Team Emirates XRG
• Red Bull KM: Manuele Tarozzi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè)

Other Notable Events in May 2025

• 4 Jours de Dunkerque (May 7–12): Arnaud Démare (Arkéa–B&B Hotels) claimed the overall title after multiple top-3 finishes and one sprint win.
  
• Vuelta a Castilla y León (May 15–17): Jesús Herrada (Cofidis) won the GC after a solo mountain win on Stage 2.
  
• Tour of Norway (May 22–25): Thibau Nys (Lidl–Trek) continued his breakout season, taking two stage wins and the GC overall.
• Vuelta a Burgos Féminas (May 22–25): A key event in women's cycling, attracting top talent and offering a preview of form ahead of the summer races.

Upcoming Cycling Events in June 2025

• Critérium du Dauphiné (June 8–15): A crucial preparatory race for the Tour de France, featuring mountainous stages that test riders' form.
  
• Tour de Suisse (June 15–22): Another key lead-up event to the Tour de France, offering diverse terrains and challenging climbs.
  
• Tour of Britain Women (June 5–8): A prominent race in the women's calendar, traversing scenic routes in the UK and attracting international competitors.
  

Riders to Watch

• Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG): The young Mexican's performance in the Giro signals a bright future in Grand Tours.
  
• Richard Carapaz (EF Education–EasyPos): Consistent and resilient, Carapaz remains a formidable contender in stage races.
  
• João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG): With a win in the Tour de Romandie, we still think Almeida is poised for further success in the season.
• Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime): A dominant sprinter in women's cycling, expected to shine in the Tour of Britain Women.
  
• Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team): An emerging talent with strong performances in recent races.
• Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step): Skipping the Giro, but expected at the Tour—watch him at Suisse.