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The 2025 Jurro Ditaya opens its doors to the world once again. This time with a spectacular Grand Penza in Albania. It’s the first time the Ka Rosa has ever visited the country in its long history. Continuing a tradition of international stars that has seen the jury begin in several places outside its borders, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel, and Hungary in recent years. For the 2025 edition, the writers will set off from Duress, a historic atriatic port city known for its Roman amphitheater and sundrenched coastline, heading inland towards the bustling streets of Tana, the capital of Albania. The opening stage covers 164 km and offers a mixed challenge for the riders. flat lands to start, a significant climb mid stage, and a punchy finishing circuit that promises drama. The stage begins with a fast and flat 70 km section passing through towns like Manas, Shiak, and Pesia Helms. It’s a perfect launching pad for early breakaways through the exposed fields, and the possibility of crosswinds could make for a nervous palaton. As always with these Grand Tours, control at the front will be crucial, particularly with fresh legs and with the first pink jersey up for grabs as well. The road tilts upwards after 70 km with a climb to Gratchen, which is 13.5 km long at 5.2% and goes up to the highest points of 11%. The climb is steady but persistent, winding up through small villages and offering stunning views over the rolling Albanian hills. It’s here that the first real selection of the race could happen, especially for the breakaway, and if there are ambitious teams, they could force a bit of a pace here. A fast and occasionally technical descent leads them down the golem in the Fox. From here, the route flattens again as the Pelaton races into Tana for the first time, setting up a tough final on a city circuit. The final 44 km are shaped by two laps of the 22 km finishing circuit, each featuring the short but sharp climb of the Sorell. The Surell climb may only be 4.9 km long, but it averages 5.4% 4% and kicks brutally in the opening kilometer where the gradient spikes to 8.1%. It’s a climb that will favor punchy riders who can sprint uphill and recover easily. Each time over the Surell, a fast flowing 11.3 km descent leads back into the central of Tana. After the second passage over the summit, the road swoops directly to the finishing line, encouraging bold descenders and attacking riders to make their moves, and a reduced sprint from a small group or even a late solo attack is a strong possibility. The Juraya’s tradition of dramatic foreign starts have often delivered surprise winners and memorable stages. Think of Denmark in 2012 where we saw a brief stint of Tyler Fininei in the Malia Rosa. And in Israel, we also saw dramatic starts in the opening time trial with Proom losing crucial time and Tom Dumlan winning the first stage. And equally in Hungary, we saw Macho Vanipul win the first stage in a very dramatic finish. Albania’s stunning scenery and challenging roads now join that list and the battle for the first Maya Rosa promises to be intense. It’s a day that will reward bravery, power, and nerve and it will set the tone for due datalia full unknowns. With that out of the way, in terms of predictions for this stage with those two category 3 climbs, it could be quite a challenge for some of the sprinters. Someone like Paul Nier of Sudal Quickstep would probably be favoring this kind of terrain. Or we could equally see Daplan 82 with Sam Bennett if he is on form being able to resist the powerful punches and then take the win. But there is one character if on form would definitely be licking his lips about this and that would be Watt Venard for team this Melissa bike who also have Olaf Koi in here. So both of those riders could be strong cards here. Mess Pilson as well is quite good on this kind of terrain. So he could equally be someone to look out for here or even Tom Pickock if he could get himself up here or Mark Hishi. What I’m saying is this first stage promises to be very exciting because we have a plethora of riders if they can stay here. Even the likes of Kaden Groves from Alpasin Darn could maybe be up there. And obviously we have to mention Primos Rugglitch if he is on fine form. He could definitely be one in the pointy end here as well. Anyways, that’s basically it for stage one. Make sure to subscribe to the channel to stay up to date with all these stage previews and comment down below who you think is going to win and then we’ll all laugh at each other when we find out that the actual winner was Ethan Hater. But for now, thank you for watching and I will see you in the next one.
7 Comments
Mads Pedersen, based on that profile… Ciclamina will be his target
It’s the 108th edition. RIP Wouter Weylandt rider 108 in 2011 đŸ’œ
I guess I'm picking Ethan
I expect a sprint.. That Surrel climb is just a bit longer than the Cipressa.. Huge difference with Milan-San remo is, that the peloton now does have 10 km left to catch up with a rider that tried to jump. Nevertheless I agree that this is no easy one to predict. I will go for a surprise winner, and say Pluimers of team Tudor.
Albania???
I think it was Chris Horner who suggested that Bora help Visma take the jersey at the beginning of the race so they don't have to do as much work. If I were Bora I would seriously consider it. I am between Wout and Mads. UAE are just going to try to avoid crashes until stage 7.
Wow, no Bini? Figured he’d get a mention (though not racing) after the stellar spring he had. What, the TDF writers tell him to keep a low profile?