Giro d'Italia: Date, history, jersey colours & route

First held back in 1909, the Giro d'Italia is one the three Grand Tours in Cycling and one of the most highly anticipated events on the UCI World Tour.

While it may not have the glamour of the Tour de France, the Giro often has more drama and is arguably the favourite of cycling's three Grand Tours among the purists.

Giro d'Italia Date

The 2025 Giro is expected to begin on Friday 9th May, starting with the first stage, also known as the ‘Grande Partenza'.

It will conclude on Sunday 1st June 2025, with either a time-trial or ceremonial sprint stage in a major Italian city.

Giro d'Italia route announcement date

The route for the 2025 Giro d'Italia and Giro d’Italia Women will be announced on 12th November 2024 in Rome from 12:00PM GMT.

Giro d'Italia jersey colours

The winner of the General Classification of the Giro d'Italia receives the Maglia Rosa, or Pink Jersey, which goes to the rider with the quickest overall time throughout the entire race.

The Maglia Rosa is likely to change hands on several occasions as the race develops. A purple jersey is awarded to the leader of the points classification - usually a sprinter - and the leader of the mountains classification receives a blue jersey.

As is the case at the Tour de France, the best young rider is awarded a white jersey.

Giro d'Italia history

The 2025 Giro d'Italia will be the 108th edition of the race. The inaugural edition, which took place in 1909, was won by Italian rider Luigi Ganna.

Giro d'Italia most wins

Three men have claimed the Giro d'Italia's famous Maglia Rosa on five occasions. Italian rider Alfredo Binda won five times between 1925 and 1933 and another legendary Italian, Fausto Coppi, claimed his quintet of victories between 1940 and 1953. 

Coppi is remembered with the Cima Coppi, a title which is awarded to the highest mountain point in the race each year.

The rider who climbs the Cima Coppi first gets more mountain points than at any other point in the race. The only non-Italian to win five Giro d'Italia GC titles is Belgian legend Eddy 'the Cannibal' Merckx, who won five times from 1968 to 1974 and also claimed the Yellow Jersey at the Tour de France on as many occasions in the same period.