It’s May, and that can only mean one thing: Grand Tour season is upon us. In just a few short days, cycling’s leading athletes will set out on yet another hero-making, history-shaping competition en route to donning the Maglia Rosa. As we anticipate the opening stage of the 106th Giro d’Italia, let’s take a quick look at some of the fastest riders poised to make waves in this year’s race.
A CLIMB TO REMEMBER
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the last Giro unfolded on the steep slopes leading up to a finish atop the Passo Fedaia, a.k.a. the Marmolada. It was here, on the race’s penultimate—and Queen—stage, that Italian rider Alessandro Covi pulled off an astonishing 53-kilometer breakaway to claim his first World Tour win. Making his escape at the foot of the 2,239-meter-high Passo Pordoi, Covi gained ground with each pedal stroke, earning the Cima Coppi before winding his way back down and onto the race’s final climb: the 14-kilometer Marmolada.
His closest competitor, Domen Novak, gave chase, but was ultimately unable to close Covi’s impressive lead which saw the young rider celebrating a hard-fought stage win together with his fresh Cima Coppi title. As for how Covi felt about the finish:
We look forward to seeing what big moments Alessandro Covi has in store for this year’s La Corsa Rosa.
A RIDER TO WATCH
2023 will mark Filippo Zana’s fourth Giro d’Italia experience—but it will be his first with a World Tour team, Team Jayco AlUla, as well as his first wearing the Italian Nation Champion’s jersey, an honor he takes seriously. It will also be Zana’s first Giro outside of the Young Rider’s classification. Yet what he might lack in years, he more than makes up for in talent, experience, and enthusiasm.
Zana has been hard at work, training in the lead up to this year’s race with a Giro-specific approach that has included early-season challenges such as the Strade Bianche. As for Zana’s goals for the Giro, he’s aiming to do his new-found Champion’s title proud by pedaling his way into as many top positions as possible on the long road to Rome.
AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF TALENT
For years, it has been our honor to partner with many of the top teams in the sport in their annual competitive pursuits, with the Giro acting as perennial proving ground to kick off the big three Grand Tours. For 2023, we’re excited to throw our support behind, and performance beneath, the following teams and riders:
AG2R Citroën: With a stacked roster full of talented riders, this leading French team promises to push the tempo in each stage. Individuals to keep an eye on include Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Felix Gall.
INEOS Grenadiers: Hungry to reclaim the top title after big wins prior to last year’s second-place GC finish, we’re watching the INEOS trio of Tao Geoghegan Hart, Geraint Thomas, and Filippo Ganna.
Movistar Team: Of course, it wouldn’t be a star-studded race without the riders of Movistar Team. Expect Movistar veteran Carlos Verona to do big things in his return to the Giro alongside new teammate and powerful sprinter Fernando Gaviria, who will be hoping to pair his Movistar debut with a reappearance in pink.
Jumbo-Visma: And last, but certainly not least, are the riders of team Jumbo-Visma, helmed by Primož Roglič, who’s already shown he’s ready to win big in 2023 Italian stage racing, taking first place at Tirreno-Adriatico in March. Roglič will be joined by Edoardo Affini and Tobias Foss for what promises to be a thrilling three weeks.
As we count down the hours till the tires start spinning in the Giro’s opening time trial, we look forward to seeing how this year’s race unfolds. Good luck to all the riders and teams!
Photo:
Tornanti.cc – Filippo Zana
