GIRO D'ITALIA 2025: THE GRAND START FROM ALBANIA

GIRO D'ITALIA | 23/12/2024 | 16:03
The 108th edition of the Giro d'Italia will start from Albania, which will host the Grande Partenza of the Pink Race for the first time in its history. Opening the dance next Friday, May 9th, will be a medium mountain stage starting from Dürres (Durazzo) and finishing in Tiranë (Tirana), a re-edition of the "mountain stage in the city" for a total of 1800 meters of elevation spread over 164 km. Following this, on Saturday, May 10th, the streets of the Albanian capital will host an individual time trial of 13.7 km, an important test for the ambitions of the men who will fight for the general classification. The trio of stages in Albanian territory will conclude with a new medium mountain stage starting and finishing in Vlorë (Valona) of 160 km with over 2700 meters of elevation. The Pink Race, whose definitive route will be unveiled on January 13th in Rome, will subsequently depart from Puglia on May 13th. At the Grande Partenza presentation event, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana, were present Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Director of RCS Sports & Events, Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth of Albania, Mauro Vegni, Director of the Giro d'Italia, Vincenzo Nibali and many other guests.
GIRO D'ITALIA, THE GRAND STARTS FROM ABROAD
1965 San Marino (SAN MARINO REPUBLIC)
1966 Monte Carlo (PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO)
1973 Verviers (BELGIUM)
1974 Vatican City
1996 Athens (GREECE)
1998 Nice (FRANCE)
2002 Groningen (NETHERLANDS)
2006 Seraing (BELGIUM)
2010 Amsterdam (NETHERLANDS)
2012 Herning (DENMARK)
2014 Belfast (NORTHERN IRELAND)
2016 Apeldoorn (NETHERLANDS) 2018 Jerusalem (ISRAEL)
2022 Budapest (HUNGARY)

THE STAGES STAGE
1, DURRËS-TIRANA, 164 KM

A dynamic stage with a challenging finale that will expose the team leaders from the start. Departure from Durazzo and first part slightly undulating towards the interior. All elevation is concentrated in the last 90 km. First climbing the Gracen climb over 13 km of average gradients to reach Tirana where a 22 km circuit will be covered, characterized by the Surrel GPM, short and intense (up to 12%) in the middle of the loop. Final descent wide and fast until the city center.

STAGE 2, TIRANA-TIRANA TUDOR ITT, 13.7 KM

Time trial stage in a circuit around the center of Tirana. Mainly taking place on wide straight avenues interrupted by about 1.5 km of climb at 6% with brief steeper sections. Second half downhill and flat until the finish line.

STAGE 3, VLORË-VLORË, 160 KM

Another dynamic and challenging stage where only the last 30 km are truly flat. First part undulating in the hinterland to cross the short Q. Shakellës pass leading to the sea (max 14%). Then climbing the long Qafa e Llogarasë climb, almost 11 km with gradients over 7%. Followed by a long and fast descent and the final coastal stretch to the finish straight in Valona.

STATEMENTS
Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania: "This is one of the most important and significant sporting events in the world of sport, and we are honored to host it. It will be an exceptional opportunity to showcase our splendid country to 800 million viewers worldwide. I am truly happy that for three days, in Tirana, Durazzo, and Valona, we will host so many champions who will be talked about all over the world, just as Albania will be talked about everywhere. We are about to welcome an event that is not just sporting, but a great popular festival that involves everyone. For us, this is the first time, and I hope it won't be the last."
Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Director of RCS Sports & Events: "In the century-old history of the Giro d'Italia, this will be the fifteenth start from abroad, a source of pride because it celebrates the international dimension of the Pink Race and represents an important step in consolidating the Giro's positioning as a global event, capable of embracing different cultures and territories. This choice allows us to promote cycling in a nation with which we have a strong historical, sporting, and cultural bond. Moreover, thanks to the global attention that an event like ours can attract, the Grande Partenza will be an opportunity to enhance a growing territory rich with potential. We are enthusiastic about bringing the Giro beyond the Adriatic, further strengthening its message of internationality, and we are certain that this start will remain etched in the memory of everyone, from riders to fans."
Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth of Albania: "The Giro d'Italia is a prestigious international sporting event followed by over 800 million viewers. The first three stages will take place in three important cities of the country: Tirana, Durazzo, and Valona. This is an excellent opportunity for Albania to show its natural beauty and landscapes, as the event will be broadcast live in 200 countries worldwide, and will bring benefits both short and long-term, as well as offering a golden opportunity to promote cycling. From an economic perspective as well, the Giro represents a significant opportunity. We are thrilled to have been chosen by the Giro d'Italia."
Mauro Vegni, Director of the Giro d'Italia: "The route of the Giro d'Italia 2025 Grande Partenza in Albania has been designed to offer great spectacle from the first pedal strokes, combining the beauty of the territory with a technical design that will enhance the qualities of the riders, following the path of what we have already experienced last year. Cycling has changed, and in this period we are seeing that the big names do not lack courage. We believe that these first stages can stimulate even the classification men and that, thanks to the city time trial in Tirana, with a technical and spectacular route that will cross the heart of the Albanian capital, we can see the first gaps between the big names. We will give the local public and those who will follow the race from home a great start to the Giro."
Vincenzo Nibali: "Every Grande Partenza from abroad represents an extraordinary opportunity to bring cycling to new territories, bringing enthusiasts and communities closer to this wonderful sport. I have experienced several personally, but the most special remains without a doubt that of 2016, when I obtained my second victory. That year the race started from the Netherlands, where we pedaled between two wings of the crowd. This experience made me understand the unique international value of the Giro. The route seems treacherous from the start, and there will be great spectacle, not only for the configuration of the stages but also because the big names will be forced from the start to stay at the front to not lose precious ground."