The Giro d’Italia boasts a rich history, much like the Tour de France. Both races originated to promote their respective newspapers, with organizers adopting the paper’s color for the leader’s jersey: yellow for France’s L’Auto and pink for Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. The inaugural Giro in 1909 covered 2448 kilometers, the shortest in its history, and was divided into 8 stages. Italian rider Luigi Ganna emerged victorious, with only 49 of the initial 127 riders completing the race in Milan. The 1914 edition was even more grueling, with only 8 finishers out of 81 starters.
Similar to the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, the Giro d’Italia crowns a deserving champion each year. Three legendary cyclists have claimed victory five times: Italians Alfredo Binda and Fausto Coppi, and Belgian Eddy Merckx. Merckx also boasts five Tour de France wins and one Vuelta title. Numerous other cycling stars have triumphed in the Giro, including French legends Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, and Spain’s Miguel Indurain, all multiple Tour de France winners. Homegrown riders like Felice Gimondi, Gino Bartali, Ivan Gotti, Gilberto Simoni, and Paolo Savoldelli have also tasted victory. The intense rivalries between Giuseppe Saronni and Francesco Moser in the 1980s remain legendary.
A unique figure in Giro d’Italia history is Alfonsina Morini Strada, the only woman to have ever participated and finished the race.
The Giro has ventured outside Italy on eight occasions, with starts in Belgium, Greece, and Groningen, Netherlands, which hosted the opening time trial in 2002. When held in Italy, the race typically navigates the challenging Alps, Dolomites, and Apennines. Held in May, the Giro often encounters severe weather in the high mountains, with snow, rain, and frigid temperatures influencing the race’s outcome.
The Giro d’Italia enjoys a bright future. The UCI’s Pro-Tour regulations mandate participation from all top 20 teams, ensuring a high level of competition. Previously, only Italian teams and a few foreign teams with Italian sponsors participated. Furthermore, free television coverage has broadened its audience, unlike past years with private station exclusivity. The 2005 edition was particularly memorable, featuring top teams, elite riders, and a demanding course, revitalizing a race that had become predictable. The climbers face tough stages, and team leaders battle for overall victory on the hills and in time trials, solidifying the Giro d’Italia as one of cycling’s most exciting stage races.