Who Will Win The 2025 Giro d’Italia? | GCN’s Giro Preview Show

It’s that time of year again – Grand Tour season is upon us. And, as has been the case for the last 30 years, the Giro d’Italia is up first for the men.
3413km, 52,500m of climbing including a whole heap of famous mountains – Monte Grappa, Passo di Mortirolo and Colle della Finestre amongst them, and it’s also got some gravel…..
It’s always beautiful, this race, often with extreme weather at either end of the spectrum, and it all kicks off this Friday, 9th May. Here’s the BIG GCN Preview!

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:34 What Happened In 2024
01:04 2025 Giro d’Italia Route
01:15 Grande Partenza Albanian Stages
02:36 Stage 2, Time Trial
03:21 Stage 3 Vlorë – Vlorë
04:37 Stages 4,5,6
05:36 Stage 7 – First Summit Finish
06:29 Stage 8 Giulianova – Castelraimondo
07:07 Stage 9 GRAVEL SECTORS!
09:07 Stage 10 Time Trial
09:43 Stage 11 Viareggio – Castelnovo ne’ Monti
10:38 Stage 12 Modena – Viadana (Oglio-Po)
10:47 Stage 13 Rovigo – Vicenza
11:18 Stage 14 Treviso – Nova Gorica
11:50 Stage 15 Fiume Veneto – Asiago
13:14 Stage 16 Piazzola sul Brenta – San Valentino (Brentonico)
13:53 Stage 17 San Michele all’Adige (Fondazione Edmund Mach) – Bormio
14:40 Stage 18 Morbegno – Cesano Maderno
14:53 Stage 19 Biella – Champoluc
15:41 Stage 20 Verrès – Sestrière (Vialattea)
17:38 Stage 21 Roma – Roma
18:59 The GC Contenders
27:17 The Sprinters
31:17 GCN Predictions

Who are your favourites to win at the Giro this year? Let us know 👇

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It is that time of year again. Grand Tour season is upon us and as has been the case for the last 30 years, the Jirealia is up first for the men. 3,413 km, 52,500 m of climbing, including a whole heap of famous mountains. Montgraa, Pasad, Motorola, and Kadella Finestra amongst them. And it’s got some gravel. Oh, gravel. It’s always a beautiful race, often with extreme weather at either end of the spectrum. It all kicks off this Friday, the 9th of May. Just before we get on to the route, a quick summary of last year’s race. And it will be brief because Tanny Pagatcha dominated almost from start to finish. He just missed out on winning the opening stage, but he took the pink jersey the following day and kept it all the way to the finish in Rome, winning a further five stages along the way. So, he beat Danny Martinez by just under 10 minutes in the end. This year though, Pagata is not racing, which I guess is good news for those of you who want a slightly closer battle for top honors. So, on to the route. This year, there are two individual time trials, six flat stages, eight hilly stages, and five in the high mountains. Now, the first of the hilly stages comes on day one, which is one of three stages taking place in Albania, which is the fourth country outside of Italy to host the Grand Aartenza over the last 10 years. Yeah, Albania has never hosted a cycling event anywhere near this level and I have to admit I am not particularly offay with what the roads are like. So, it’s going to be interesting to see, isn’t it? Now, um that opening stage 164 km long. The biggest test comes around midway through. There is a 13 12 km long climb to Grassen that averages 5.2% with a maximum of 11. I feel like we should probably apologize here and now, shouldn’t we? I mean, pronunciations not our strong point. What was wrong with that? Well, I think that was probably all right, but there’s a few more coming. Albanian place names even less so. Okay. Anyway, from there they descend towards a 22k circuit that they’ll cover two times. Yeah. Within that circuit, there is another client, third category, which is 2.7 km at 4.7% and it’s pretty steady most of the way up. The last time they crest it, they’ll have 11k to the finish, mostly downhill. This stage to me screams Wana and Mass Pson. These climbs are so good for both of them. Not long enough or steep enough for the GC battle to start, but hard enough and long enough to shake out the pure sprinters. Yeah, it sounds plausible. Thank you. Stage two is the first of the individual time trials. Uh that’s 13.8 km around Tyran. Pretty sure I nailed that one. which is capital now flat for the most part but there is a 1 and a halfk bump that starts just past the halfway mark about a kilometer long at 5 1/2% so not too testing not too testing no bike changes that’s for sure Josh Tarling of Inos will probably start as the favorite for this one and I thought he’ll be doing all he can to finish in the front group on the opening stage so he’s got a chance of taking the leaders Malar Rosa as well yeah is it technical by city center standards I’d say no it’s not a Couple of U-turns, few right angled corners, but seems to be on fairly good wide roads. So, the pure time trial specialist should prevail. Okay, stage three is the final one on Albanian roads. And there is almost 3,000 m of elevation gain over the 160 km. Fairly flat start to that one, though. It’s not until they start tracking up the coastline that the real hills begin. I’ve been looking at street view actually. It looks absolutely stunning in the second half of this stage. Well worth watching. The big difficulty comes with 50 km to go is a climb that’s called might need to have a bit of a run up at this cafa ilogaras. Although that was more of an Italian accent. Anyway, it’s 10.5ks 7.4%. No, I don’t for sprinters. No, probably not. Uh, this could be one for the break, I’d suggest. Sort of depends, I suppose, on who’s in the pink jersey. If it’s a rider and a team who don’t have eyes on the overall GC at the end of those three weeks, I guess they’ll want to defend it. If it’s a GC favorite, this might be an opportunity to loan the jersey out. Yeah. And actually looking at the profile, it is all downhill and flat for the final 40k, isn’t it? Intera’s opportunity for the Vanarts and Pisons of this world. Well, I think with that we have covered all bases of what’s happened. Break away. Yeah. Okay, cool. Good job. Anyway, after that they get a rest day because the entire circus then heads over to Italy. Early rest day. Uh the race resumes on Tuesday the 13th of May in Pulia, which is the heel part of southern Italy. So they get to ease themselves back into things gently. Stage four is 189 km jaunt from the beautiful town of Albero to Leche, which looks like it’s the first nailed on sprint of the race. They then head slightly in land to Mater on stage five. It’s a nice place. It’s a lovely place. Yeah. Now the first third of that stage is hilly. The second third completely pan flat down the coast. Then it’s another lumpy finale. There’s a steep 2k climb with 30ks to go. 10% average and a couple of longer drags over the last 20ks. Yeah. So it’s a similar stage finale to the one used in 2020. Arnold Dear won ahead of Michael Matthews. So there’s a decent chance for sprint, isn’t there? In spite of the lumps and bumps. On stage six, which actually is the longest of the race at 226 km, Patenza to Napoli. So, another one for the sprinters since the last 80ks are all either downhill or flat. Stage seven is the first summit finish of the race, which is leaving it quite late, isn’t it, by Jurro Italia standards. Yeah, they normally like to get an early one on the books, don’t they? Um, it’s a tough day out this one. 168 km to Taglia with 3 and a half thousand m of climbing along the way. four categorized climbs over that distance with the first one coming immediately after the flag drops at kilometer zero. It’s the first time the Jurro has visited the Finnish town of Tadlia Kotsza though although it was used in the Jiro Delatio in the past. What year was that? Uh it was 1935. I don’t remember that one. You probably do then you now the last climb is 11ks long with an average gradient of 5.6% but it is much steeper towards the finish. The last two and a halfks average 8 and a half% so expect a sprint from a small group of GC favorites indeed. They start a little further up the Adriatic coast the following day for another long one. 197ks from Julia Nova to Castell Rondo. Yeah, that’s the name I recognize. It is. Yeah. Pools and Jar won stages in that town in Torono Adriatico. And the jurro also passed through it a few years ago in 2021 on a stage that was won by the late great go. I would describe that day as tough but not one where the GC riders come out to play. It’s a good opportunity for the breakaway then. Yes, although to cover our backs once again. S Vanart and Person might want to have their teams control it as well. Okay, stage nine is a last before the second rest day and it finishes in a place that you will all recognize, Sienna. And you know what that means? Exactly. Yeah. The organizers have put some of the straanke sectors into the latter part of that stage. And although there are only five of them, they add up to a total of 27 1/2 km of the rough stuff. Although I’m slightly worried about the first sector because well it’s a really fast running will be anyway because they’re meant to be at the front. Uh and then it’s quite a fast downhill soon after that sector starts. It’s the PV Asali sector which is used in Stalani though. So a lot of the rides and teens will know it. Okay. But a dodgy one. The sector is 8K long. Soon after that they’ll be on sector 2 which is 9 and 1/2k long. And then there is a very brief bit of tarmac restbite before the hardest sector at San Martino Inrania which is also around 9 and a halfks long. Those are punchy aren’t they? They’re long. Yes. And not much rest bite in between on the tarmac roads. That one though uphill most of the way. And again, that’s a sector which is used in Strrad Biano. And to give you an idea of how tough that one is, the Strava Kam is held by Lenny Martinez from last year’s race where he averaged just 32 km per hour. Criy by pro standards. That is slow, isn’t it? At the end of it, they’ll have 34 km to go, but only one more gravel sector. Kenuto 2.3k, 4% average gradient. Care to guess who has the straa km on that one, Z? Well, I know you’ve got a fair few in the area, D. I used to. Yeah. Yeah. I’m going to say P for Gats though. Yes. Too easy really, isn’t it? Yeah. He set it as he was dropping Tom Pitcock in the race this year. So, it’s a tough little sector that one. And from there in this stage, it’s 14ks to the finish. Traditional run to Sienna for the final few ks. It is. Yeah. So, down that descent with the two hairpin bends and then up the via catarina and into Sienna itself. Okay. It is an iconic finish that isn’t it? I I’m genuinely looking forward to that stage. After the second rest day, they’ll then resume racing a little further north in Tuscany for the second of the individual time trials. 28.6 km from Luca to Pisa. And despite all the hills in the area, this time trial is really quite flat, just over 100 m of elevation gain over the distance. But as it’s reasonably long, we might get some significant gaps amongst the GC favorites. Nice. Tyler will be the favorite again if he’s still in the race. But I’m looking forward to seeing how Auso and Roglitch fare against each other because they are both really strong against the clock, aren’t they? They are. They definitely are. Wouldn’t be surprised if one of them won it actually that day. Stage 11 goes from Vio to Castell Nova Neonte. And there’s a beast of a climb on route. The Alpa San Pelro 14s long at almost 9% average gradient with a max of around 19. Oh, we might not see too much action though. There might because the top of it comes at the midpoint of the stage. So, Tibary and Caruso were there last week actually doing a recon and they just have to take the K on this climb all right, aren’t they? Or if they’re doing a recon, maybe they see this stage as more pivotal than we’ve seen it. Yeah. Anyway, there are some more climbs after that, but they’re much shorter and not as steep. The final one that day peaks with 5ks remaining. So again, a hard stage to predict because on paper doesn’t look to me at least like one where there will be big time gaps. No. So there will almost certainly be big time gaps. No. Yeah. Now I’m predicting there won’t be big gaps into the Adana on stage 12 though. It might be hilly for the first half from Modern, but after that it is completely flat. So one for the sprinters. Pretty flat the following day as well. Only 1,800 m of climbing over 180 km. But there’s a nasty little kicker to the line that day. 1k long, 8% gradient with a 12% max. Hit Good shout I would say. Yeah, I mean it’s a climb actually that’s been used in the durelento one day classic that was won by Dorian Gdon in 2023. He’s a punchy sprinter and so I would expect similar riders to excel here as well. Pison and we could mention those two once again. Yes. Uh where are we up to? Stage 14. That’s the one. Uh so we’re up in the northeast of the country by that point of the race and the flat plains at the Vento region and then on that day they’re going into Slovenia where they’ll tackle three small categorized climbs. You would think the roadside fans are going to be next level, aren’t they? Especially if Rogich is still in with a shout of winning. So the climbs on the circuit that they tackle twice around Geritzia are tiny. We said 800 m at 8%. So it’s not one full rogidge and it should be a sprint. And then rounding out the second week of racing is a monster 210k stage from Fumey Vento to Asiago. There are three categorized climbs on route including the beast that is Monte Graa. How many times they going to ride up it there, Dan? Ask the question. Yeah, lightweights. They tackle it from the southern side which is the way they descended down on the penultimate stage last year. I was having a look and I can’t actually find the last time that the Jurro went up the side climbing this year. Now, I couldn’t find any stra results over the last 10 years or so from the race. It doesn’t really matter though because it’s still a massive climb. 25 km at 5.7%. And what is the K on that on them? It’s just over an hour. Yeah, that is a long climb, isn’t it? A long climb from the top though, there’s a long way still to go around 90ks. So, the second cat climb to Dory, 16ks at 5 a half% and then a rolling 27k to the finish in Asiago. Right. I would say having gone through the route for the first two weeks of Race Eye, I’ve been left a little underwhelmed to say that. Oh my goodness. Yeah, you are. I mean, there’s a chance of fireworks on that stage we just described, for example. But at the same time, Monte Graa seems a bit wasted positioned midway through a stage. I know what you mean. I mean, they say that riders make the race, don’t they? So, we have to hope that’s true. Fingers crossed. Right after the third and final rest day, it’s the start of the traditionally brutal final week of the Jurro. They’ll need to be rested as well because stage 16 has almost 5,000 m of climbing over 203ks. They do at least get to ease themselves in at the start of the stage, but they will then tackle five categorized climbs as they head into the Trentino region of Northern Italy. None of them particularly well-known climbs, are they really? Although one of them goes halfway up Monte Bondon, but none of them go over,200 m above sea level. We do at least have a summit finish though. Yeah. 18 km at just over 6% but it goes up in steps so there are some steeper sections and you’d think there should be some decent time gaps on that stage. Yeah, you’d have thought so. Okay, onto the final four days of the race. Starting with stage 17, 155 km to Boro, which of course sits at the foot of the Stelvio. Unfortunately though, they’re not going over the Stelvio. There are only two major climbs on route, aren’t there? the Paso del Donali at 15K at 6% and then the Paso Motorola which is quite hard 12.6K at 7.6% but with gradients up to 16. Yeah, from the southeastern side I think it’s they tackle it this year the same way they went up in 2022. So not the steepest options of the Motorola climbs but still like you said a very tough test. I mean it’s the soft way isn’t it if we’re being honest. Um they’ve got 50k to ride to the finish from the top though and no major climbs in that distance either. So again, it’s going to be difficult to see a major GC shakeup. Yeah. And there definitely won’t be one on stage 18 either, which looks like it will be a sprint. They head from Moreno to Cassin Mono. But whilst there are three categorized clims, they’re all done and dusted just after the midway point of that 144k stage. Okay, so we’ll move on to stage 19 then, which is a tough day in the mountains. Again, nothing that goes over 2,000 m of elevation, but it is another stage with almost 5,000 m of climbing concentrated over just 166ks as well. Start in Bella and the Piamonte region and take on a third category climb almost from the gun again. A valley road then leads into the first serious test which is the colder 16k 7.7% with a 3k section that’s constantly in double digits. Then it’s the co san another 16k test at over 7% and then the k deu 15ks at 7%. Then there is a second cat climb between there and the finish but you would expect the action to come a little bit earlier. Expect and hope I would say or learn less they’re in fear what’s to come in stage 20 which some are saying is the queen stage of this year’s race. 205 km to Cestriè. Yeah. Although if it is the queen stage it doesn’t have the most amount of climbing does it? only 4 1/2,000 m over 205 km. However, it’s the climb that comes with 54k to go that makes it so tough. It is the ka de finest. All 18 1.5 km of it at an average gradient of 9.2%. Now, a lot of you are going to remember that climb from 2018 because that’s when Chris blasted away, turning the GC on its head and putting himself in the pink jersey for the first time in that race, which of course he went on to win. You’ve done this climb as well, I believe. So, I have indeed. Yeah, many of you will remember the video that we made in 2014, possibly 2015. Um, I I mean, I absolutely love this climb. It is honestly one of the best to ride. Not only is the road incredible, but then the gravel part, which covers the last half of it, is just epic. Fantastic. So good. Uh it’s actually the only time in the entire three weeks of the Jira this year where they’re going to be over 2,000 m of elevation, believe it or not. And I’d say that’s probably a deliberate move by the race organizers due to the snow that’s kind of hampered and plagued the race in recent years. And on that subject, there is a chance that this stage might prove difficult to run as well. As we record this, which I guess is 4 weeks away from that stage, there is a lot of snow for the pig. I do hope this stage goes ahead. I really do. Um anyway, if it does go as planned, they will descend off the Finestra and start the gradual ascent towards the ski station of Cestriè given the gradients or the lack of it’s only a third cat status, but it marks the final climb of this year’s race. And it’s quite hard. It’s got to be said. It’s well, especially after 3 weeks of racing, a tough day in the salary. It’s It’s proven to be quite selective in previous years, hasn’t it? After stage 20, they’ll be flying down to Rome, which hosts the final stage for the third year in a row. They will pass through the Vatican that day in honor of Pope Francis, who obviously recently passed away. Yeah, the stage itself is a simple one, 65k parade out to the coast and back before the racing starts on eight laps of 10 km. There are still some bonus seconds up for grabs on the off chance that the GC is still that close. But in all likelihood, it will just be about the final sprint to the line. Probably. Yes. So, there you have it. Uh, the route is not particularly inspiring this year despite 6,000 m more climbing than last year’s edition, but I reckon we’ll still have a fantastic race, particularly because there is not a clear favorite, is there? So, Pagatcha, as we said, is not racing. Before we discuss the favorites though, a quick bit of promotion from our side. We have, as you can tell, a new range of t-shirts and sweatshirts dedicated to the first men’s grand tour of the season. Um, and you can find all of these designs, of which there are five, I believe, over on shop.globalcycling.com. You are correct. Five t-shirt designs and a hoodie as well. All available in different colors, but with a distinct pink theme. You’re wearing it very well, Dan. Thank you very much. Yeah, we we put the air con up to the max here in the studio. All purchases make a huge difference to us and what we’re able to do right here on GCN. Yeah, you really do. Right, shall we talk favorites? Yeah, let’s do it. Uh we’ll start with the favorite, shall we? At least according to the book makers, Primos Robgitch of Red Bull Bora Hands Grower. I mean, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Of the five previous winners on the start list, he is the most recent, taking the crown in 2023. Feels like longer than two years ago that he won this race, doesn’t it? Uh this though is the big focus for the start of Rogich’s season. He was a little bit below par when he started racing in Algar back in February, but he was already back to the Rogich that we know and love at the World of Catalunia in March. Yeah, he won that. He won that. Yes, he did. Made a rare longrange solo attack in fact on the final day to take the win from Juano Yuso. Rob is Mr. dependable, isn’t he? When it comes to consistency, it’s almost guaranteed he’ll be up there fighting it out for the win unless he crashes. Well, that is his one downfall, isn’t it? Literally. Yes, almost. Red Bull Bora Hans are in the luxurious position of having another former winner on their roster as well, the Australian Jai Hindley. Although, he’s already said that he’s going to be all in for Roglitch at the Jurro. Although, you’d imagine they’d want to try and keep him up there in contention on GC for as long as possible. Yeah. In case Raglitch falls off. Yeah. Yeah. The strength doesn’t finish there either. That’s a bit mean, wasn’t it? Um Danny Martinez second last year is also in the lineup as is Yan Tratnik strong as an ox and one of the revelations of last year’s race Julio Pelitzari add in Aliotti Moscone and Dens that’s a team to be reckoned with isn’t it whether it’s to defend or to attack very strong team but the same can be said of UAE Emirates although then again it’s quite rare they send a team to any race these days when you don’t say something along those lines they are led by Juanus the Spaniard who’s had an incredible start to the season. Two wins in one day races in early March, an overall win in Toreno, and then that second place behind Roglitch in Catalunia. Yeah, it’s so interesting that the top two favorites for the race separated by 13 years in early, isn’t it? So, Auso is very much on the ascendy. Rogich, I mean, he’s got to be on his way down or at least no longer progressing, you’d think. So, at some point, they’re going to meet in the middle. The question is, will it be at this year’s G? I think it will be. Yeah. I mean, we saw how close together they were in Catalunia. Rogich had the edge there. He’s far more experienced, of course, in Grand Tours and racing in general, but Ausu is clearly a very determined character, isn’t he? And he too has great support in his team. Adam Yates is with UAE’s co-leader. Then you’ve got Isak Del Toro, who’s been an incredible domestique these past couple of seasons. Yeah. Plus McNelte, Vine, Micah, Baronini, and Aretta, which is another dream team really, isn’t it? It is, especially for the climbs. Obviously, they won’t be winning any sprints this year like they did with Milano last year. That’s not what they’re here for. There’s no doubt though that Red Bull and UAE will be dictating how this race is ridden on the GC days. Yeah, because Yates is actually the third favorite with the bookies, isn’t it? After that, it’s Antonio Terry of Bahrain. So, he was fifth in last year’s JRO. Solid start to the year this year with third in Toronto. He had to put out the TW Alps after stage one due to illness though, didn’t he? He’s a solid rider, but I find it hard to see him threatening the top step of the podium if I’m honest. Bain also have pale bill who’s always there or thereabouts and Damian Caruso too. He finished on the podium with this race in 2021, but he’s now 37, so I can’t quite see him repeating that this year. No. After that, it’s Muel Lander, the Enigma. This will be his 23rd Grand Tour. He’s already been in the top 10 on 10 occasions. Wow. It’s quite something, isn’t it? He has had a decent start this season as well. Rode well in Catalunia and Toreno. 35 years old now, which seems quite hard to believe in many respects. The time is running out for him. Been third twice in the dural in the past. I think repeating that would be a fantastic result for him if he managed it again this year. I think he would. Yeah. Danny Martinez is next. We mentioned him with Red Bull. And it’s Simon Yates. I can’t believe it’s already seven years ago that he looked so good to win this race. Yeah. Same one that Chris won in the fest, wasn’t it? Exactly. Yeah. Time does fly. Now riding for Vizmissa by of course is Simon Yay. He’s been a little off the pace in the early season by his own high standards. 13th at Toreno, ninth in Catalunia. He’s experienced though, isn’t he? I think he’ll be at his best for this race or hopefully he will be. Is that enough for the podium though? I was looking actually it’s been four years since he last finished on the podium of a grand tour. But maybe his new team has given him a new lease of life if you’ll pardon the pun. That is absolutely terrible. I don’t think we can pardon that, can we? Let’s cut that out. Yeah. Now, Vizma have got Wilco Kelvin as well, Bart Lemon and Steven Kryike for the mountain stages, but they’re a team that will be on the hunt every single stage, won’t they? Because they’ve also got Vanart and Co as well. More on the sprinters later on. Richard Carropaz is next on the list. He’s been brilliant at that race, this race in the past, should I say. Put himself on the map really when he won the Jira in 2019. And actually in three participations at the Jurro, his worst result is fourth. Wow. Yeah. I’m surprised he’s not lower in odds in some ways. Um he might not have had the best start of the season, but he did finish fourth at last year’s Welter as well. Not that long ago, he clearly still got it. Um EF have also got Steinhauser who excelled in this race last year. The experienced Ruie Costa who will be riding his 19th Grand Tour plus Karthy Sepa and Shaw as well. So all strong attacking riders. Yeah, I’m expecting a lot from that team. The Italian judo chicone leads Leadle Trek. Don’t think there are many people out there who don’t love his attacking style. Pressure is off him a bit because the team are also concentrating on the ambitions of Mass Person. We mentioned him. No, I don’t think you have actually. But I do hope that Jacone is on form and right up there. However, I’m finding it mad that the book makers have him down at the same sort of odds as Carropaz because Jacone’s never finished in the top 10 overall of a grand tour. Wow, that is odd. Who’s your money on then? Carropaz out of the two. Yeah. Yeah. Um right. Next up, another former winner, Eggan Bernal. Similar odds to Carropaz and Jacone and also his own teammate Thyman Aaron. Inos seem to have completely overhauled their tactics from what we’ve seen so far this year, don’t they? They’re far more daring, far more attacking, and less less safe in their racing, I suppose. And I hope it continues here at the Jurro. Bernal will be interesting to watch because there were some really good signs at the very beginning of the season before he then broke his collarbone when he came out. He was out there in Catalinia, wasn’t he? He was. Yep. Seven phase rule there. He’s since been back in Colombia training at Altitude and I just hope he’s one more step closer to his former self in this race. Team sounds really bullish about him, which is great to hear. Yeah, my fingers are firmly crossed. Um, Aaron is another solid GC rider in Grand Tours. So, sixth overall at this race for the last two editions actually. But he’s another rider who’d be surprised to see on the final podium on the pod. Yeah, does seem like a long shot, I would say. Then again, the nature of the route this year does seem to lend itself to earlier attacks. He was pretty good at doing exactly that at the recent tour of the Alps. Up next then, a dark horse for the GC, Michael Store of TUDA Pro Cycling. He has been phenomenal this season, hasn’t he? He won the recent tour of the Alps with a stage win there as well. He also won a stage and got fifth overall in Parinise and he was 10th overall actually at the Jurro Italia this time last year. does feel like he’s gone up another level since then. As you said, a dark horse for the top five. Tuda have here she for the punches stages as well. So, watch out for him. Would you say Derek G is going to go for the GC? I’d have thought so. Yes. Uh he’s done three stage races this year and he’s not finished worse than fourth overall. And he was top 10 at last year’s tour to France. Let’s not forget. Believe it or not, this is only his third grand tour as Derek G. So it feels a little bit too early to know exactly what direction he’ll go in in grand tours over his career. But yeah, I’d say he’ll be concentrating on a good GC certainly in the first week or two. Yeah, we should also mention David Gu who uh he’s appeared to struggle a bit since his strong start at Omar in February. Yeah, he was off the pace in Romany last week as well, wasn’t he? We have definitely got to mention Roman. So the jer will be his last grand tour in his pretty glittering career. Yeah, he’s going to be sorely missed Roman when he finished. He’s been a great ambassador for cycling over the years. Max Pool might also have half an eye on GC for picnic post in L2. Yeah. Right on to the sprinters. The man at the top of the list this year has to be Olaf Koi. He’s had three wins so far this year, but crashed out again with a broken collarbone. But it does sound like he’s on track to return to competition this Friday. And you couldn’t ask for a better leadout rider than Ward, could you? As for Matthew Vanderpool. Yeah, I guess so. Yeah, but you know he’s pretty good. Yeah, he is pretty good, isn’t he? They’ve also got Afeni and Fanbar for those flatter stages as well. Yeah, Kaden Groves is supposed to be here for Albertson. He had a knee problem a few weeks back. We saw him withdraw from Catalinia though and he hasn’t raced yet, he is a good climber for his size and so whilst we keep mentioning Vanard and Pison, have we mentioned them? I think we might have done for certain stages. Groves is also going to fancy his chances there. Very true. He’s got a great record in stage wins at the Jurham World as well, hasn’t he? I’d be surprised actually if he doesn’t pick up a stage win here if he’s on form. Sam Bennett is the Catholon A2R sprinter. He’s won four races this year, albeit not against the top sprinters. Then again, the world’s top sprinters aren’t technically here either. Um, so I reckon be disappointed to go home without a stage win. It’s first time he’s ridden a Jurro for seven years, believe it or not. So he won three stages back in 2018. Fred Town of Coff is definitely worth a mention. He’s had three wins this season so far. And this will be his first grand tour, so he’ll be very hungry for success. Yeah, it will also be the first grand tour for Paul Manet. He started the season in spectacular form. A couple of crashes have derailed that. He is such a talent now, isn’t he? And Sudal will be pinning a lot of their hopes on his success on the flatter stages. Luke Lamperti should provide a good lead out as well in what will be his second Jira. Yeah, he did it last year, didn’t he? Tason will be sprinting for Ant Mare. Mateo Mosqueti the Q36.5 Lardi Vapulti Can Extana and watch out too for Lewis Ol of Moby and that I think is about it for the sprinters. We mentioned Patterson, didn’t we? I think we mentioned him once or twice. Yeah, he’ll be gunning for the points jersey too I’d imagine. And the same for Ward. Bit of pressure on his shoulders. Yeah. Right. Some other riders we should mention. There’s no pressure really. He’s got a lifetime contract. He’s not feeling the pressure anymore. I think good point. Yeah. Um, right. Riders who don’t fit into the GC or the sprinter mold. Tom Pitcock. Start with him. Uh, well, in large part it was the signing of Pitcock. Uh, that got Q36.5 invited, wasn’t it? So, there will be a bit of pressure on him to perform here on the stages that suit him, which would be quite a few you’d imagine. I don’t think he’ll target GC and so those stage wins could come on the punchy finishes or indeed from a breakaway. Yeah, Hershey will be in a similar boat for Tuda, won’t he? And we’ll probably be targeting pretty similar stages. We haven’t m we’ve not mentioned exia sustana really yet, have we? Just caner. Oh yeah, can we mention uh they’ll be trying to get as many people into the top 10 of every stage they possibly can. They’ve been a UCI points farming machine so far in 2025. They’ve got pools who won Turkey who’s looking great there. Ulissi is always good for stage wins. Fortunat stage and finished fourth overall in Randy and Scaroni who was the man of the early season before he broke his collab. And they’ve got Masnada too. Yeah. So, not really a GC threat, but they should be vying for a lot of stages in there. Corbyn Strong, we’ll fancy his chances on a couple of the uphill finishes. And Luke Plap, it’s worth watching, too. Yeah, they’ve got a decent team, Jacob, actually. Zer Harper, who’s talked about going for GC at this race, and also Paul Double, the Brit, who’s getting better and better each year. This is his first Grand Tour and his first year in the world tour. Yeah. Now, you know, we’ve forgotten to mention one of the previous winners of this year’s race, don’t you? Have we? Who’s that? Canon. Oh, yes. Actually, I’m not sure we mentioned Moby Star at all in this preview. Uh, they’ve got Sepa and Rubio as well, although the rest of their team when I last looked yet to be confirmed. Oh, one more person we haven’t mentioned. Louis Mankey Mare. Oh, yeah. Always good for about 10th place overall. Yeah. Right. That should just about cover it. Think so, shouldn’t it? Uh, time for predictions. John, you go first. I’m going to go Juanus. Yeah, I think the point earlier about him being on the ascendancy and Rogich potentially being just kind of on the way down. I don’t know. I just think it’d be really exciting. I feel like this is his time. Well, yeah, it’s hard to bet against him. I mean, he’s really come on a level of consistency, I would say, this year, and he’s got such a fantastic team. Uh, let’s keep these predictions really boring, then. Uh, I’ll go for Primos Rockglitch. The book is favorite for the race. What have you gone for Roglish then? Well, I mean, he is so consistent, isn’t he? If he doesn’t pull out of a grand tour through a crash, he’s generally on the podium. And I think that will be the case here. The top step of it. Yeah. All right. Well, let us know your predictions in the comments section down below. And don’t forget as well that you will be able to watch every stage live on Discovery Plus and Max. I’ll also be rounding up each week of action on the racing news show here on the G10 Racing channel. So, I’ll see you on Monday where I’ll be wrapping up the Albanian stages. All right, enjoy the race, everyone.