The Giro d’Italia 2024, set to commence on May 4th from Venaria Reale, has announced a star-studded lineup, with Tadej Pogacar topping the bill. The Slovenian cyclist, who holds the number one spot in the UCI World Ranking, steps into the Corsa Rosa on the back of a spectacular early season, boasting seven victories from ten days of competition. His principal challenger appears to be Geraint Thomas, the Welsh cyclist who held the Maglia Rosa up until the penultimate stage in 2023. Thomas will be supported by Thymen Arensman, who finished sixth last year and is a favourite for the Maglia Bianca for young riders.
The startlist for the 2024 Giro d’Italia can be found here.
A Strong Field of Contenders
The race will see returnees from last year’s top ten including Damiano Caruso and Eddie Dunbar, who finished fourth and seventh, respectively. They’ll be joined by cycling heavyweights like Romain Bardet, second in the recent Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Ben O’Connor, a stage winner and runner-up at the UAE Tour, Daniel Felipe Martinez with three wins this season, and Nairo Quintana, who donned the Maglia Rosa back in 2014. Promising newcomers Cian Uijtdebroeks and Antonio Tiberi, following impressive performances in the early season, will also be contenders, particularly for the Maglia Bianca.
High-Speed Thrills Among Sprinters
The sprinters’ roster is equally impressive with Jonathan Milan, the current Maglia Ciclamino, leading the charge. He faces stiff competition from established names like Caleb Ewan, Fernando Gaviria, and Tim Merlier, each with multiple Giro stage wins under their belt. Debutantes in the Giro such as Fabio Jakobsen, with an impressive tally of 46 career wins, and rising stars Olav Kooij and Laurence Pithie, will be keen to make their mark in the fast finishes.
Opportunities Abound for Stage Hunters
With 21 stages offering various challenges, the race promises plenty of opportunities for stage hunters. Time trial specialists like Filippo Ganna will look to dominate against the clock, while climbers will eye the mountainous stages for a chance at glory. The likes of Julian Alaphilippe and Christophe Laporte, skilled in punchier stages, alongside a broad array of climbers and all-rounders, will all vie for stage victories in a route that includes everything from steep climbs to technical descents.
A Scenic Culmination in Rome
As per tradition, the Giro will wrap up in Rome, where last year’s tour concluded with a celebratory final stage through the historic city. This year’s route promises similar scenic splendours and a grand finish, where the cycling elite will battle it out for the ultimate prize in Italian cycling. With a mix of gruelling climbs, fast sprints, and tactical battles, the 2024 edition of the Giro d’Italia is poised to be a thrilling affair from start to finish.
