The route of the 2023 Giro d’Italia was announced on Monday with the race organisers seemingly doing their utmost best to court the Belgian Remco Evenepoel. Three time trials for a total of 70km against the clock will favour the world champion – although the 22-year-old will have to prove himself over far tougher climbs than he did when winning La Vuelta this September.
Seven summit finishes include Lago Laceno on day four; the Gran Sasso in Abruzzo, where Simon Yates last won in 2018; Crans Montana in Switzerland; the first visit to the legendary Monte Bondone in 17 years; back-to-back days in the Dolomites, culminating with the queen stage to Tre Cime di Lavaredo; and then the penultimate day’s time trial up the spectacular Monte Lussari. Ad Gaps in the general classification will be established from the outset with the Grande Partenza in Abruzzo kicking off with a 18.4km time trial along a coastal bike path that is pan-flat save for a punchy rise to the finish in Ortona in the last kilometre.
A second, entirely flat time trial plays out before the first rest day and – at 30.7km long – could put a serious dent in the aspirations of many pink jersey hopefuls. Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'Italia announce their Grande Partenza for 202328/09/2022 AT 17:14 While defending champion Jai Hindley has described the 70.6km of racing against the clock over three separate TTs as “probably three more than I would like”, he will be appeased by the final test culminating with a tough 7km climb up Monte Lussari in the picture postcard Julian Alps.
Let’s now take a closer look at the six key stages that could well decide the 2023 Giro d’Italia. Stage 7: Capua to Gran Sasso d’Italia, 218km Three days after the race’s first uphill finish at Laceno
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