Giro d’Italia: Italy’s Pink Legend

The Giro d’Italia is one of the three Grand Tours in road cycling. Held every May, it spans 21 days, crossing the valleys, coasts, and high mountains of the Italian peninsula. The Maglia Rosa, the pink jersey symbolizing the overall leader, is one of the most romantic jerseys in cycling. Its color comes from the newsprint of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the newspaper that originally sponsored the Giro.

Race Basic Information

Item	Details
Founded	1909
Held	Every May
Total Distance	Approximately 3,400-3,500 km
Number of Stages	21 stages + 2 rest days
Jersey Colors	Pink (overall leader), Blue (mountain classification), Red (points classification)

Iconic Climbing Stages

Stelvio Pass

Elevation: 2,758 meters (Italy’s highest manned mountain pass)
Distance: 21.5 km from the east side, 24.3 km from the west side
48 hairpin turns make it one of the most famous passes in the world
When the Stelvio appears in the Giro, it is often the decisive day for the general classification

Mortirolo Pass

Elevation: 1,854 meters
Average gradient: 10.5% (maximum 14%)
Known as the “cruelest pass,” it is also famous for Marco Pantani’s exploits

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Summit finish elevation: 2,320 meters
The scenery along the way is dreamlike, with three towering peaks, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In recent years, the Giro has often used this as the finish of the queen stage

Zoncolan

Average gradient: 11.9% (maximum 22%)
Total length: approximately 10.5 km
The Giro usually only uses it in the latter part of the race to decide the overall standings

Italian Cycling Culture

Tifosi (Italian Fans)

Italian cycling fans, the “Tifosi,” are among the most passionate in the world. They wait for hours on the mountainsides just to catch a few seconds of riders flying past. They rush to the edge of the road shouting, sometimes even guiding riders with flags.

The Campionissimo (Grand Champion) Tradition

Italy has a glorious cycling tradition, including:

Fausto Coppi: Widely regarded as the greatest Italian rider ever, winning the Giro 5 times
Eddy Merckx (Belgium): 5-time winner, holding the record for most overall victories
Marco Pantani: Won the double (Giro + Tour de France) in 1998, with his career tragically overshadowed by the 1999 doping scandal

The Modern Giro’s Competitive Landscape

Recent Landscape (2020-2024)

Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia): Dominant winner in 2024
Primož Roglič (Slovenia): Multiple-time winner
Remco Evenepoel (Belgium): 2022 Giro champion

Differences from the Tour de France

Comparison Point	Giro d’Italia	Tour de France
Month Held	May	July
Climate	Late spring, possible snow and cold	Summer, hot
Mountain Emphasis	More mountain stages	More balanced between mountains and flats
Competitive Intensity	Slightly lower (stronger teams at the Tour)	The world’s best riders gather
Atmosphere	Romantic, artistic	Commercial, grand

Viewing Advice for Taiwanese Cycling Fans

Watching Online

The Giro takes place in the afternoon Taiwan time every May. You can watch via:

GCN+ subscription (approximately US$15 per month)
Eurosport broadcasts
Official YouTube channel (partially free)

Watching in Person

Traveling to Italy to see the Giro in person is a dream for every road cycling fan:

Recommended stages to watch: Mountain-top finishes (e.g., Stelvio, Mortirolo)
Best spots: Secure a position on the mountain 1-2 days in advance and camp out
Transportation: Mountain roads are closed during the race in Italy; you can only hike or cycle up

Riding the Giro’s Famous Mountains

Many tour operators offer “Giro Experience Tours,” allowing Taiwanese cyclists to actually ride famous climbs like the Stelvio and Mortirolo. Trips typically last 7-10 days, including accommodation and support vehicles, costing approximately US$4,000-8,000.

Conclusion

The charm of the Giro d’Italia lies in the wonderful balance between Italy’s romance and cycling’s brutality. When you ride the 48 hairpin turns of the Stelvio, gazing down at the Alpine valleys beneath the clouds, you will understand why riders from around the world regard this place as sacred ground.

Giro d'Italia: The Romance and Cruelty of the Pink Jersey