104th Giro d’Italia: Piedmont to host the Grande Partenza

On Saturday 8 May, the Corsa Rosa will begin from Turin, the Piedmont capital. Stage 2 from Stupinigi (Nichelino) to Novara – one for the sprinters – and Stage 3 from Biella to Canale will also be hosted by the region. The Giro will return to Piedmont in its final week with a never-before-seen summit finish at Alpe di Mera (Valsesia) and stage departure from Verbania. Watch Filippo Ganna’s video message below.

On the 160th anniversary of Italian unification, Turin and the Piedmont region is set to host the Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia, 10 years since it last did so. Stage 1 will see riders tackle a 9 kilometer-long individual time trial through the streets of Turin. Stage 2, from Stupinigi (Nichelino) to Novara (173km), will best suit the sprinters before an undulating Stage 3 from Biella to Canale (187km) that’s likely to attract the interest of the race’s finisseurs. Following the Grande Partenza, the Piedmont region will again be in the spotlight during the Giro’s final week as Stage 19 will play host to a summit finish at Alpe di Mera in Valsesia, followed by a departure from Verbania the next day.

THE 3 STAGES OF THE GRANDE PARTENZA

Stage 1: Turin – Turin ITT (9.0km)

An entirely urban stage. Stage 1 starts from Piazza Castello and follows the Po River, passing through Turin’s Valentino Park. After crossing over the Po, the route continues along the Corso Casale and remains straight until it reaches the Gran Madre church at the foot of the Superga hill to finish.

Stage 2: Stupinigi (Nichelino) – Novara (173km)

A mainly flat stage. Riders will depart from the Palazzina di Caccia in Stupinigi before reaching another Savoy castle in Racconigi a few kilometers later. The route then passes through Santena, the city where Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour rests (a leading figure in the Italian unification movement), 160 years after his death. The peloton will then face some gentle undulations as they cross through the Monferrato area and enter the Po Valley.

Stage 3: Biella – Canale (187km)

An undulating stage, suitable for finisseurs. The stage is initially flat from the city of Biella before the riders reach the slopes of the Apennine Mountains. After Asti, a succession of climbs begin, some of which are classified as GPMs. Once the peloton has passed by Alba, a few short but steep ramps will greet the riders before the finish, presenting an ideal opportunity for an attack.