Giro d'Italia Preview: Stage 1 - Escape Collective

Road

When to watch, and what to watch for, in stage 1 of the Giro d'Italia.

Stage 1: Venaria Reale to Torino - 140 km

Where to watch: 🇺🇸 Max, 🇨🇦 FloBikes, 🇬🇧 Discovery+, 🇪🇺 Eurosport, 🇦🇺 SBS On Demand

Coverage start time: 🇺🇸 7:30 am EDT, 🇨🇦 7:40 am EDT, 🇬🇧 12:30 pm BST, 🇪🇺 1:30 pm CEST, 🇦🇺 9:35 pm AEST

Estimated finish time: 🇺🇸🇨🇦 11:15 am EDT/🇬🇧 4:15 pm BST/🇪🇺 5:15 pm CEST/🇦🇺 1:15 am AEST

Stage type: Hilly

What to expect: The Giro d'Italia should get underway with some excitement thanks to a stage 1 profile that features some interesting challenges. After the Superga climb - which should be familiar to fans who have watched Milano-Torino - puts some fatigue into the legs, the second-category Colle Maddalena should force at least some selection. It could also spur real attacks, with a tricky descent to follow, and then an uncategorized ascent before the finish. It wouldn't be a big surprise to see some of the GC contenders in the mix for the stage win alongside the more versatile stage hunters.

Dane's picks: All eyes will be on Tadej Pogačar, who should like the profile and who has a chance to go wire-to-wire leading the Giro d'Italia. That said, the climbs aren't that hard here, so keep an eye on Andrea Bagioli as well, with Julian Alaphilippe, Daniel Martínez, and Romain Bardet as others who could try something on the first day of the race.

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