By the 10th day of racing, the general classification of the 2025 Giro d’Italia should have taken on a clear shape – though far from settled, as the toughest challenges lie ahead. Right after the rest day in Tuscany, the riders will tackle one of the pivotal stages of the 108th edition: the time trial from Lucca to Pisa.
The Tuscan ITT is a pure power test: 28.6 km as flat as a pancake, ideal for specialists to push their beloved big gears and create significant gaps against those less adept at this discipline. The climbers, however, will find their playground the following day on the 185 km stage from Viareggio to Castelnovo ne’ Monti. This fraction features the grueling Alpe San Pellegrino climb (1st category, 14.2 km at 8.7%) located halfway through the stage, followed by the Toano ascent (2nd category) and the decisive climb of the Pietra di Bismantova (2nd category, 6.5 km at 5.2%), cresting just 5 km from the finish. It’s a route tailor-made for attackers willing to go all-in early.
Stage 12 shifts the spotlight back to the sprinters, covering a fast and flat 176 km route from Modena to Viadana (Oglio-Po). All eyes will then be on how the peloton approaches the Rovigo-Vicenza stage (180 km), featuring a circuit in Vicenza that includes the punchy Monte Berico climb (1 km at 7.6%) and the short Arcugnano ramp to be tackled twice. It’s a stage ripe for breakaways but equally suited to explosive riders looking for ambush opportunities in the technical finale.
The following day sees the peloton roll out from Treviso for a 186 km journey to Nova Gorica, crossing into Slovenia – currently one of cycling’s powerhouses. Expect a warm reception from the Slovenian fans, who always welcome the Giro with unique passion. However, this stage is more suited to sprinters than to marquee names like local idols Pogačar or Roglič. That said, the fast wheels will need to stay vigilant on Nova Gorica’s winding finishing circuit.
From Friuli, the race returns to Veneto for the Fiume Veneto-Asiago stage, a demanding 214 km fraction. The iconic Monte Grappa (1st category, 25 km at 5.8%) will once again be a highlight, tackled this year from the Romano d’Ezzelino side. But the real fireworks are expected on the Dori climb (1st category, 16.3 km at 5.5%), which peaks with 24 km to go. The subsequent rolling terrain to Asiago could favor a long-range breakaway, though with a rest day looming, some might seize the moment to make their move.
