2016 Giro d'Italia Race Preview
The details of this year's 2016 Giro d'Italia are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The 2016 Giro d'Italia promises to be one of the most compelling editions of the Italian grand tour in recent memory, with a demanding route and a star-studded starting list that should produce some memorable racing across three weeks in May and June.
The race begins in the Netherlands, with the opening stage a short individual time trial in Apeldoorn, giving the pure climbers an early opportunity to limit their losses against the specialists against the clock. The race then moves through the Low Countries before making its way back to Italian soil, where the real battles are expected to unfold in the mountains.
The route features a characteristically brutal collection of Alpine and Dolomite climbs, with stage finishes at altitude that will test even the strongest general classification contenders. The Alpe di Siusi and the iconic Stelvio both feature, along with several other summit finishes that will almost certainly decide the outcome of the race.
The defending champion Alberto Contador of the Tinkoff team arrives as one of the favourites, having shown in recent seasons that he remains one of the finest climbers in the peloton. The Spaniard will be under pressure throughout from Vincenzo Nibali, who carries the hopes of the Italian tifosi on his shoulders and knows these roads better than almost anyone in the field.
Steven Kruijswijk of LottoNL-Jumbo represents a potential dark horse, while Mikel Landa and Alejandro Valverde add further depth to what should be a fascinating general classification battle. The time trials could prove decisive, and any rider who can combine climbing ability with strength against the clock will hold a significant advantage as the race reaches its final week.
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