Stage 1 - Taranto > Lecce - Flat



The opening stage will see a fight for the first maglia azzurra, of which the first holder will keep until at least stage 4. No surprises on this route, it should end in a mass sprint.

Stage 2 - Gallipoli > Leuca - Flat Individual Time Trial



Already on the second stage a flat individual time trial of 50kms! It will be the only flat individual time trial of this route, with the second a mountain time trial following the second rest day. As such, this is a key moment early in the race for the all rounders to try and take a time advantage heading into a mountain heavy Giro. Gaps can already be very large which will complicate strategies later in the race, or force riders to use early opportunities to regain lost time.

Stage 3 - Otranto > Bari - Flat



The 3rd stage of this Giro poses no difficulties. Following the coast throughout the race, there should be a mass sprint contested on the streets of Bari.

Stage 4 - Lucera > Beneveto - Medium Mountain



Already on stage 4 an important moment for the GC contenders. The 9km ascent at 8% may come far from the finish but the race can easily be lost here. We can expect an exceptional fight between the breakaway riders for the stage honours, but which gc candidates might lose precious seconds?

Stage 5 - Beneveto > Civitacampomarano



If there were a reason for gc riders to hold off on offensives for the previous stage into Beneveto, it might be this stage. The successive climbs to Castelbottaccio and Civitacampomarano should create significant splits if a team wants to take up the race. On an off-day you can bleed time here.

Stage 6 - Trivento > Frosinone - Flat



It may not be as simple to control as the previous opportunities, but stage 6 should be a sprint finish in Frosinone. The climbing rarely is above 5% and at this stage in the race the sprinters' teams should be keen to control the breakaway.

Stage 7 - Roma > Roma - Hilly



The circuit in Roma is perhaps more complicated than it at first seems. Not only is there the repeated ascent of a categorised climb, but two further uncategorised ascents that can whittle away the peloton. Perhaps another chance for a breakaway exploit like that of Naples in 2022?

Stage 8 - Rieti > Frontignano di Ussita - Mountain



Already on stage 8 the first true summit finish of this Giro. The early ascent of Monte Terminillo (Sella di Leonessa) should enable a breakaway of strong climbers to form and potentially fight for the stage. Meanwhile the steep gradients in the final can already see minor gaps in the overall standings open up.

Stage 9 - San Severino Marche > Porto Recanati - Hilly



The final stage before the rest day will be an important moment for the gc favourites. The successive steep ascents, culminating with the Montelupone - Colle dell'Infinito - Loreto sequence, can easily allow the more explosive favourites to open up gaps before the final beside the Adriatic.

Rest day in Marche

Stage 10 - Ancona > Ravenna - Flat



Straight after the rest day an easy flat stage, not much to say about this one.

Stage 11 - Ferrara > Monte Grappa - Mountain



The major summit arrival of this Giro d'Italia. On unrelenting gradients only a true winner may be crowned. Indeed due to the nature of the stage it will likely be won by one of the major GC threats.

Stage 12 - Vicenza > Verona - Medium Mountain



A trap stage if ever there was one. Unrelenting successive climbs, with the hardest saved to last. It is unlikely that the GC favourites chose to move but we should be in for a thrilling breakaway fight with potential for time gaps among the favourites that already struggled on the mighty Grappa.

Stage 13 - Venezia > Udine - Flat



A simple flat stage to give something for the sprinters to enjoy again in this second week. They will not be so fortunate for the next few stages...

Stage 14 - Pordenone > Tarvisio - Medium Mountain



A stage that will likely be fought for by the breakaway. Having said that, the fearsome climb to Sella Carnizza can leave struggling favourites found out if the pace is turned up.

Stage 15 - Tolmezzo > Maranza Alto Adige - Mountain



A key stage for the favourites. While no single climb is a giant, the sequence of Furcia, Erbe, Rodegno, Maranza can surely create huge gaps. Both the Passo delle Erbe and Alpe di Rodegno are climbs whose difficulty is hidden by their average percentages, with the final 7kms of the former averaging 9% while the first 6km of Alpe di Rodegno ride up to 10-11%! With hardly a meter of flat in between these final 3 climbs, surely someone will be tempted to make a move before the final rest day?

Rest day in Alto Adige / Dolomites

Stage 16 - Klausen / Chiusa > Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi - Mountain Time Trial



A key time trial coming after the second rest day, the 16 kilometre ascent of Alpe di Siusi can have profound consequences on the GC battle at this Giro d'Italia.

Stage 17 - Fondo Sarnonico > San Martino in Val Sarentino - Mountain



The queen stage of this Giro, already a very tough stage from the start. The sequence of Passo di Monte Giovo and Passo di Pennes can easily define the winner of this race, climbing up to over 2200m.

Stage 18 - Trento > Chiari - Hilly



The final opportunity for any sprinter to win before Milan, but it will be no easy feat. Teams can turn up the pace on the early ascents to drop the fast men, and it is very likely at this stage a breakaway will win by several minutes over a cruising peloton.

Stage 19 - Bergamo > Morbegno - Mountain



The last true high mountain stage of this Giro, loaded with climbing from the start. Everything should be decided on the final ascent and descent of the underused Passo San Marco, this could be a defining stage of the Giro.

Stage 20 - Menaggio > Lugano - Mountain



A stage where raids can be dreamed of. Alpe di Neggia can make a case for being the hardest climb on the route, and despite coming far out on the route there is virtually no flat between the summit and the finish line. If GC remains tight on time, the brutal slopes of Arosio (of which 4km are over 12%) will enable the strongest to emerge before the fast arrival down in Lugano.

Stage 21 - Mendrisio > Milano - Flat



Same finish as used in 2015, any sprinter that managed to tame the Italian Alps will be rewarded with the chance for a stage victory on the historic streets of Milan.

And yeah, I'm aware of sanctions but I'm gonna go with it

mauro wrote: ↑15/05/2023, 10:36

aqswdeaqswde wrote: ↑15/05/2023, 5:50

Also, another question that popped up in my mind: recalling the 2019 Giro, I realized that the Lago Serrú top finish was higher than the Cima Coppi of that year, the Passo Manghen. I also remembered the same happened in la Vuelta 2021, where they gave the Cima Alberto Fernadez to the Gamoniteiro, when the highest climb was Collado Venta Luisa from stage 9 (I don't remember a case in the Tour right now). In relation to our topic, as this is key for the Giro (with its own trophy even), I was wondering if there's any special case in which we might give the Cima Coppi to a climb that isn't the highest point of the route, or in the other hand, to keep it from a climb that's the peak of the race.

The Cima Coppi of the 2019 edition was supposed to be the Gavia Pass, higher than Lake Serrù. The ascent to Gavia was removed from the route at the last moment due to snow and so the organization moved Cima Coppi to the next higher climb, Manghen, scheduled for the penultimate stage. It has always been done like this: in case of snow the Cima Coppi is not retroactive, but is postponed to the next highest ascent, even if it is lower than 2000 meters

BETTO wrote: ↑15/05/2023, 14:30

aqswdeaqswde wrote: ↑15/05/2023, 5:50 First of all, I already made my route, so I ain't making this question for me necessarily.

Spoiler!

And yeah, I'm aware of sanctions but I'm gonna go with it

Don't you think the two circuits rule is a bit unfair? I understand the desire to resemblance the actual route, and with the Napoli stage is completely understandable (tho originally it was gonna be a TT), but the other circuit stage is the Roma circuit and replicating it is a bit off imo. I mean, I don't mind too much having a circuit as final stage, but replica ting it when it's a stage with basically zero value to the GC seems a little unfair, even more when all the other requests aim to have an actual impact on the GC (or being contractual, in the case of Suisse).

Also, another question that popped up in my mind: recalling the 2019 Giro, I realized that the Lago Serrú top finish was higher than the Cima Coppi of that year, the Passo Manghen. I also remembered the same happened in la Vuelta 2021, where they gave the Cima Alberto Fernadez to the Gamoniteiro, when the highest climb was Collado Venta Luisa from stage 9 (I don't remember a case in the Tour right now). In relation to our topic, as this is key for the Giro (with its own trophy even), I was wondering if there's any special case in which we might give the Cima Coppi to a climb that isn't the highest point of the route, or in the other hand, to keep it from a climb that's the peak of the race.

I'd like to read your thoughts on both questions.
And I'm eager to post my proposal here, just polishing some things and it'll be up soon enough hopefully.

It's not mandatory that last stage has to be in Rome or that has to be a circuit.

In the past Giro have had often stages like this; then last year's better stages was in a circuit (Naples and Turin).

Cheers

Stage 1: Napoli - Pompei 166 km (flat)
Stage 2: Ercolano - Paestum 175,5 km (mostly flat, climb 15km to finish)
Stage 3: Potenza - Barletta 202,5 km (flat)
Stage 4: Lavello - Montesarchio 185 km (medium mountain)
Stage 5: Mondragone, Campocatino 174 km (high mountain, top finish)
Stage 6: Terracina - Tivoli Terme 188 km (flat)
Stage 7: Avezzano - Avezzano 48,5 km (flat ITT)
Stage 8: Pescara - Pescara 155,5 km (hilly circuits)
Stage 9: Giulianova - Prati di Tivo 157 km (high mountain, top finish)

Rest day

Stage 10: Perugia - Poggibonsi 190,5 km (strade bianche)
Stage 11: Firenze - Le Polle 182,5 km (mountain, top finish)
Stage 12: Sassuolo - Piacenza 179,5 km (flat)
Stage 13: Piacenza - Novi Ligure 162,5 km (medium mountain)
Stage 14: Alba - Borgo san Dalmazzo 213 km (high mountain, flat finish)
Stage 15: Cuneo - Canelli 177,5 km (hilly)

Rest day

Stage 16: Bergamo - Passo del Bernina 180 km (high mountain, top finish)
Stage 17: Sankt Moritz - Passo del Tonale 147,5 km (high mountain, top finish)
Stage 18: Pinzolo - Peschiera del Garda (Gardaland) 155 km (flat)
Stage 19: Trento - Alpe di Pampeago 196,5 km (high mountain, top finish)
Stage 20: Rovereto - Serrada 22 km (mountain ITT)
Stage 21: Padova - Padova (flat circuits)

Stage 01 (ITT)

A long and mostly flat Time Trail around Bari kicks off this Giro.

Stage 02 (flat)

Stage 2 runs from Bari down to Lecce. It is mostly flat, although a cat 3 and cat 4 climb offer some breakaway action. A first sprint seems unavoidable

Stage 03 (flat)

Another flat stage brings the riders back north in the region of Apulia. The start city of Bari alos is not far away from the route. The second sprint awaits in Barletta.

Stage 04 (hilly)

After yesterdays sprint finishbing in Barletta, stage 4 starts without any transfer in Barletta. It is the first medium mouintain stage and ideal to lend the pink jersey to some breakaway riders willing to defend it as long as possible. There are GC battles possible, but improbable.

Stage 05 (flat)

Despite a challenging middle part, stage 5 should conclude in another mass sprint.

Stage 06 (mountain (unipuerto))

The first uphill test awaits on stage 6 with the Monte Nerone. There might be time gaps within the favourites, but due to the stage being mostly flat or rolling terrain, no one with GC ambitions really should loose the Giro here.

Stage 07 (flat)

Stage 7 again is a typical sprint stage with some gifts for the breakaway and without really hard obstacles for the Sprint Teams. The fourth mass sprint should take place in Cesenatico.

Stage 08 (hilly and very long)

Stage 8 is 238 kilometers long and by far the longest of this Giro. It is designated to be a breakaway stage, but with over 150 flat kilometers to begin with, the breakaway formation could take quiet a while.

Stage 09 (mountain)

Stage 9 is a real banger. La Crosetta allows for a good breakaway formation, and Sprinters could get in Timelimit-Danger. The finale is made of the mythical Giau-Tre Croci-Tre Cime combination. Due to the following rest day, I wanted one of the 3 5-Start-stages to be here. Therefore, before the Giau, the Passo Duran and Forcella Staulanza are ridden, ending every bit of flat road starting in Agordo. After these two climbs, the Giau begins the final. Early moves here are definetly possible, but it is still early in the Giro. Nevertheless, a small group of favourites could ride away. The first podium dreams propably find their end in the Dolomites. Because I prefer to value climbs simply on their profile and numbers, The Tre Cime di Lavarado are "only" a cat-2-climb.

Stage 10 (mountain)

Bad legs are forbidden after the first restday. Maybe the hardest climb of this Giro ramps up the peloton. Passo Manghen offers great opportunity for a long range attack. After decending Manghen the valley of the Avisio is used for some kilometers, before a final kicker to the cable car station to Alpe Cermis awaits.

Stage 11 (hilly)

Starting, finishing and circling around Brescia does stage 11. The Monte Maddalena is a brutal one and is ridden 3 times. The last ascent to it is still along way away from the finish, but riders who lost time the days before might try to take something back here.

Stage 12 (flat)

There is no Giro without a pancake flat sprint stage. Stage 12 from Cremona to Novara offers exactly this.

Stage 13 (MTT)

Stage 13 is a MTT, but this has two ascends and one descend. The finish will be at the Santuario di Oropa, last used in a short 2017 unipuerto stage with Tom Dumoulin winning there.

Stage 14 (mountain)

Stage 14 marks the queen stage of this Giro. It starts outside of the Aosta valley and crosses over to Switzerland via the Grand San Bernard. After 5 hard climbs and over 5500 denivel meters it finishes next to the Lac d'Èmosson, a reservoire in Switzerland directly on the french boarder. The sequence of the final two climbs has ben used in the Tour 2016, but never in the Giro.


Stage 15 starts in the Rhone valley in the french speaking part in the Valais. Shortly after the language switches to German the Moosalp is climbed. Afterwards the Passo Sempione brings the peloton back over the Alpine Divide to Italy. The descend is long but becomes flater. After Domodossola the final ramp towards the Domabianca ski area ends a brutal week 2.
After the stage, one or two Trenitalia (one of the sponsors of the Giro) Frecchiarossa trains bring the riders down safe and fast to Reggio Emilia, where a well deserved rest day follows.

Stage 16 (mountain)

Stage 16 kicks off the third week with the final 5-star-stage. Whilst the first half forms a breakaway in collect some denivel meters, the second half could occur for time gaps of several minutes. The Passo Lagadello ic climbed twice vie the road through San Pellegrino in Alpe. A climb, where on the final parts of it for 3 kilometers the gradients averages over 12%. After that , the final climb to Abetone awaits. A climb flat enough to allow slipstream, therefore a teammate form the break could support a long range attack here.

Stage 17 (hilly)

Once again a start, finish, and some loops around an italian city, this time around Firenze. Although some riders might need toi take time back, with simple attacks that task seems to be impossible. But maybe being desperative in the breakaway could bring GC riders back to the podiium range.

Stage 18 (flat with some gravel)

Stage 18 marks the typical flat week 3 Giro stage with good chances for the break away. This chance gets bigger due to some critical obstacles en route , for example three early gravel sectors. For the GC guys, this day should be an easy one.

Stage 19 (mountain)

Stage 19 starts in Terni and does almost two loops around Leonessa, Rieti and the Monte Terminillo. It is the best time to gain seconds based on pure strength from now on. The finish line is were the Giro normally finishes if it visits Terminillo, despite the heighest point of the road follows after a short uphill ramp. The first finish line crossing is used for the Bonussprint.

Stage 20 (mountain)

Stage 20 accomplishes to finally make Campo Imperatore great (again). This is created by pure desperation of the final GC stage and a lot of climbing. There are many peaks, steep and flater, with the penultmate climb, the Vado di Sole, opening the finale. After that climb, the long plateau of the Gran Sasso awaits, followed by the final ramp to the Campo Imperatore. This stage does not only requiere the legs, but more the tactics and a good team. Because if the pink jersey runs out of teammates after the Vado di Sole, bad things may occur for it.

Stage 21 (flat)

A final sprint awaits in Rome, doing five loops inclucding the "Muro di Roms", whoch is used for some final KOM and IS competitions.

maps/tours/view/23090

Stage 1 ITT - Pisa (Torre di Pisa) > Pisa - 10.18 Km



Stage 2 - Livorno > Livorno - 149.35 Km



Stage 3 - Volterra > Orbetello - 204.36 Km



Stage 4 - Porto Santo Stefano > Anguillara Sabazia - 187.54 Km



Stage 5 - Anzio > Vesuvio (Rifugio di Quota) - 222.62 Km



Stage 6 - Pompei - Santuario > Agropoli - 170.84 Km



Stage 7 - Sala Consilina > Laghi di Monticchio - 177.79 Km



Stage 8 - Foggia > Bojano (Civita Superiore) - 182.30 Km



Stage 9 ITT - Luco dei Marsi > Avezzano - 45.82 Km



Rest day

Stage 10 - Forli > Legnago - 195.66 Km



Stage 11 - Padova > Padova - 193.50 Km



Stage 12 - Thiene > Punta Sabbioni - 156.96 Km



Stage 13 - Lignano Sabbiadoro > Opicina - 172.32 Km



Stage 14 - Udine > Agordo - 212.75 Km



Stage 15 - Longarone > Monte Grappa - 141.34 Km



Rest day

Stage 16 - Rapallo > Cremona - 208.15 Km



Stage 17 - Brescia > Marilleva 1400 - 174.45 Km



Stage 18 - Naturno > Passo del Bernina - 209.38 Km



Stage 19 - Sankt Moritz > San Pellegrino Terme - 180.24 Km



Stage 20 - Bergamo > Somma Lombardo - 158.49 Km



Stage 21 ITT - Como > Alpe del Vicere - 20.98 Km

Disclaimer: I didn't get the Tunnel feature to work properly, so you will see several spikes I couldn't get rid of.

Stage 1
Friday 5 May
Cagliari>Cagliari (ITT) - 7.8 Km

Giro 2023 starts with a classic time trial that will first shape the GC. The stage features a short but harsh climb (Monte Urpinu) in the middle.

Stage 2
Saturday 6 May
Cagliari > Oristano (Flat) - 170.6 Km

As the peloton moves north, sprinters will have their first chance to win a stage.

Stage 3
Sunday 7 May
Oristano > Sassari (Medium mountain) - 198 Km

Very few flat kilometers. We will most probably have a new Pink Jersey wearer. THe "Madonnina della Scala di Giocca" climb could be the theater of the first skirmishes between GC riders.

Monday 8 May - Rest day (Transfer to Genoa)

Stage 4
Tuesday 9 May
Genova > Marina di Carrara (Medium mountain) - 218 Km

Like the previous stage but on steroids. Very difficult to control the race and high chance to have a new leader as we go through the east side of Liguria to end in Tuscany.

Stage 5
Wednesday 10 May
Follonica > Civitavecchia (Flat) - 200 Km

Bunch sprint stage unless wind from the coast says otherwise.

Stage 6
Thursday 11 May
Roma > Roma (Hilly) - 152 Km

Two laps covering a 75 Km circuit that will visit the lakes south of Rome. Sprinters will have to fight to strike a balance between controlling the breakaway and being able to stay on the peloton. The little cobblestone (sampietrini) sector before the finish will make things more interesting.

Stage 7
Friday 12 May
Aprilia > Teano (Flat) - 198 Km

A not entirely flat stage. More resistant sprinters should be able to go through the day's asperities and the last kilometers being rather ondulated.

Stage 8
Saturday 13 May
Ercolano > Vesuvio (Mountain ITT) - 14.3 Km

From sea level up 1000 meters, riders will reach Vesuvio starting from one of the towns that were destroyed in 79 AD eruption. GC likely to look a little different tonight.

Stage 9
Sunday 14 May
Roccadaspide > Maratea (Medium mountain) - 210 Km

First non-time-trial real mountain stage. The altitude will not go above 1000 m for long but the slopes of the last climb will be more than challenging (the first 2 Km are above 15%). Fatigue will not make riders enjoy the beautiful view the finish offers.

Stage 10
Monday 15 May
Castrovillari > Altamura (Flat) - 182 Km

A bit of rest for riders after the tough weekend. Possibly a bunch sprint: it will all depend on how the peloton will tackle the Matera climb.

Tuesday 16 May - Rest day (transfer to Marche)

Stage 11
Wednesday 17 May
Filottrano > Monte Nerone (Mountain) - 176 Km

Back to climbing with the most classical Appenine stage.

Stage 12
Thursday 18 May
Bagno di Romagna > Reggio Emilia (Flat) - 209 Km

The peloton moves along the Via Emilia with few asperities and a view to a very likely bunch sprint

Stage 13
Friday 19 May
Stradella > Santo Stefano Belbo (Hilly) - 188 Km

It's not the Ardennes, it's Monferrato! After a flat first half, riders will start wandering around the beautiful hills where so many good wines are produced and that gave inspiration to Cesare Pavese, writer and poet who was born in the town hosting the finish. The nervous parcours is the perfect theatre for ambushes.

Stage 14
Saturday 20 May
Alba > Sanremo (Medium mountain) - 232 Km

The exciting third weekend of this Giro brings the riders to Sanremo, but the route to get there is completely different than the mythical Classicissima. Two climbs reaching above 1000 m and a technical final descent will challenge GC contenders.

Stage 15
Sunday 21 May
Menton (FR) > Colle Fauniera (Mountain) - 179 Km

A French start and a homage to Marco Pantani as the peloton faces the first real high mountain stage.

Monday 22 May - Rest day (Transfer to Turin)

Stage 16
Tuesday 23 May
Torino > Torino (Hilly) - 135 Km

The third and final week starts with a short but rather hard stage as riders face 4 times the "Colle della Maddalena" before finishing in beautiful Turin.

Stage 17
Wednesday 24 May
Settimo Torinese > Mendrisio(CH) (Flat) - 163 Km

Riders move to Switzerland. Penultimate possibility for sprinters.

Stage 18
Thursday 25 May
Lugano (CH) > Gera Lario (ITT) - 51.4 Km

Beautiful lake sceneries in this ITT for specialists that precedes the last two high mountain stages. Gaps could be wide.

Stage 19
Friday 26 May
Tirano > Solda/Sulden (Mountain) - 158 Km

Rather short but unforgiving stage. Riders will again leave Italy for Switzerland before climbing Passo dello Stelvio (Cima Coppi) and finishing in Solda.

Stage 20
Saturday 27 May
Merano/Meran > Bressanone/Brixen (Mountain) - 221 Km

It's now or never. Here comes the queen stage of this Giro 2023. Riders start with Cornedo di Sopra, a new and very hard climb, and then, surrounded by the Dolomites, continue with Passo di Pinei, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo and Passo delle Erbe, before reaching Brixen and face the final ascent to Naz, where the remaining energies will count more than ever.

Stage 21
Sunday 28 May
Bolzano/Bozen > Verona (Flat) - 181 Km

Grand finale in the city of Romeo and Juliet. Sprinters will seek their glory.

Stage 1: Bari > Lecce 214.6km


Stage 2: Galipoli > Montegrappa 33.9km ITT


Stage 3: Manduria > Ferrandina 177.6km




Stage 4: Matera > Melfi 173.3km


Stage 5: Potenza > Benevento 214.1km


Stage 6: Napoli > Frosinone 191.2km


Stage 7: Avezzano > Prati di Tivo 163.8



Stage 8: Ascoli > Pergola 200.2km


Stage 9: Urbino > Laiano 207.5km




Restday Bologna

Stage 10: Bologna > Bologna 136.7km




Stage 11: Sassoulo > Pavia 191km


Stage 12: Garlasco > Vigievano 18.5km ITT


Stage 13: Busto Arsizio > Lugano(Mattorino) 214.7km




Stage 14: Lugano > Colla San-Simone 173.3km




Stage 15: San Pellegrino del Terme > Passo maniva 170.2km




Restday 2 Brescia

Stage 16: Brescia > Brescia 190.4km



Stage 17: Verona > Cavalese 178.8km


Stage 18: Predazzo > Tre Cime de Lavaredo (Rifuggio Auronzo) 173.8km






Stage 19: Auronzo di Cadore > Passo di Pramollo 186km




Stage 20: Chiusaforte > Altopiano del Montasio 22.5km ITT



Stage 21: Roma ( Stadio Olimpico) > Roma (Circo Massimo) 118.2km