Whenever a “new” country decides to embrace the magic of cycling, it’s always a good reason to celebrate. Albania may not have a strong tradition in this sport, having never hosted major events or produced renowned champions, but there is always a reason, and a date, to start something new and beautiful. The Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia 2025 will take place in Albania, which will be painted pink for three days, discovering a sport that this country still knows little about but that could begin to take root in the country from May 9 to 11.
However, these three days will be anything but simple for the riders, who will immediately face various challenges and an intense start, similar to what happened in 2024. Albanian fans will not only witness something historic – since great cycling has never visited their country before – but they will also enjoy a high-level sporting spectacle, as the Giro favorites will be called into action right away.
The Corsa Rosa has started multiple times from the shores of the Adriatic Sea, but in 2025 it will do so from the opposite coast, from Durrës, one of Albania’s major cities with a long and rich history, as its port has been a key point in the events surrounding the Adriatic for centuries. From there, the route will head inland, and in just 70 km, riders will encounter the first true climb of this Giro, the ascent to Gracen (2nd category, 13.5 km at 5.2%). The race will then continue to Tirana, where a 22.2 km circuit will begin, to be completed twice and featuring the Surrel climb (3rd category), which will be tackled for the last time less than 12 km from the finish line. In total, the riders will have to cover 164 kilometers.
The following day will offer an immediate opportunity to build on the positive momentum from the opening stage or to try to recover lost time, as the capital Tirana will host an individual time trial of 13.7 km. It will be a fast test against the clock, but watch out for the Sauk climb located halfway through the course, which will elevate the road for about a kilometer and a half, albeit gently. If the specialists have managed to save energy in the first stage, they can dream of going for the Maglia Rosa in Tirana.
The third and final stage in Albania will also be anything but simple, with a 160 km route unfolding around Vlorë, where both the start and finish are set. The stage is fairly undulating, but the fate of the race will hinge on the Llogara Pass (2nd category, 10.7 km at 7.4%), to be tackled 39 km from the finish, with the last 25 km being flat. If approached aggressively, this climb can create significant selection, forcing the top riders to be strategic in their moves.
After three days that will leave an indelible mark in the history of cycling, the riders will embark from the port of Valona to return to Italy.
