Stuart O'Grady and Cadel Evans share their thoughts on the 2024 Giro d'Italia Route 

2024 will mark the 107th edition of the Giro d'Italia. Since the very beginning, the Giro has been well renowned for being an epic - relentlessly tough and far from designed for the faint hearted. The race has developed a real 'hard man's' reputation, arguably offering up the most epic of stages of the three Grand Tours and over the most daring terrain across the country. Topped off with painfully long stages and back-to-back decisive days.

Albeit not the toughest route of recent memory, the recently revealed 2024 route still looks to have a few brutal stages! The three week Grand Tour will include two individual time trials, a stack of fast-furious sprint stages and of course, mountains galore with an especially difficult final week through the Dolomites and Italian Alps. Included amongst a string of Italy's most testing climbs is the iconic Stelvio Pass and what will be a game-changing penultimate stage with a double ascent of Monte Grappa.

Australian cycling legends, Stuart O'Grady and Cadel Evans are no strangers to epic Giro's, having raced a stack of them throughout their highly decorated, extensive careers and with some great success along the way.

To take a deeper dive into route details and what to expect from the race in 2024, we consulted with both Stuey and Cadel who have shared their thoughts and insights...

A word from Stuey...

There is no such thing as an easy Grand Tour, let alone an easy Giro.

Every single GT is designed to showcase the best bike rider in the race over 3 weeks of demanding terrain. Of all the Giro’s I have seen over the years, this particular route looks to be mildly less chaotic than recent times.

Starting over near Torino in the Northwest of Italy, the riders will face a difficult and what could be complicated start. The nerves are always high and every team is out to notch up their first GT stage win of the season and release the pressure valve. Day 2 is already a nasty one which should show who has had the best preparation and who may be lacking a spark or two.

The following few stages are for the breakaways with not many opportunities for the sprinters. There's some more challenging routes straight after the first rest day before things really kick off on Stage 15.

It’s time for the climbers and GC contenders to strut their stuff. Stages 15,16 and 17 are super decisive with some iconic climbs and this will generally set up the podium.

Stage 20 will be incredibly difficult with two ascensions of the famous Monte Grappa to be tackled.

Overall, l I think this Giro is less complicated in comparison to what we've seen in the past and I can’t wait to see who will be crowned with the Maglia Rosa in 2024.

We hope to see you there!

A word from Cadel...

All Giro’s are hard, yep…

A balanced Giro, not ridiculously hard but by no means easy. Its a pity not to see an island stage but the limited transfers make life easier for everyone

Stage 2. Uphill finish will make an early GC selection. It may not be a decisive selection, but it is early so the GC contenders will have to be ready. In Piemonte, a nice time to visit.

Stage 7. I’m interested to see details of this TT, if it’s technical it could be more decisive than the 37km with 400m of climbing suggests.

Stage’s 10-11-12: These stages will be interesting as they may give as an indicator of the real contenders for Pink.

Stage 14: a flatter TT but by Lago di Garda, a beautiful part of Italy to visit.

Stage’s 15-16-17: Where the Giro will be decided, three solid and spectacular mountain stages that interestingly follow a rest day. Great for us spectators!

Stages 19: It’s not over yet, Sappada in Friuli, an undiscovered gem of Italy.

Stage 20: Bassano del Grappa, one last mountain test for the ‘gruppo’ and, a place I am partial to as it was where I stayed in my first trip to Italy for the Junior Worlds (yes, last century)!

If you're interested in joining us at the Giro d'Italia next May, then we strongly recommend securing your spot on one of our tours by placing a fully refundable, risk-free pre release deposit that will lock in your place on the tour of your choice and give you early access to our trips before we launch our full line-up of experiences.