Tadej Pogacar arrives in Torino for his debut in the 2024 Giro d'Italia. He looks to make history, trying to win the race ahead of doing the same in the Tour de France. It's a massive feat, one that hasn't been done since 1998, so brace yourself for the show this May.

The 2024 Giro d'Italia starts on May 4th in the historic city of Torino and culminates in the eternal city of Rome. This year's edition, the 107th, is buzzing with anticipation, especially with Pogacar making his debut. Fresh off his triumphs in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and ahead of the Tour de France, the Slovenian enters as the red-hot favorite in a race celebrated for its brutal climbs and scenic routes.

The 2024 Giro d'Italia Route

The 2024 Giro d'Italia promises a grueling 3320 kilometers over 21 stages, blending time trials, mountain finishes, and even a Strade Bianche-style gravel stage. Riders will face a total vertical elevation of nearly 43,000 meters, which will challenge even the most seasoned climbers including the 2020 Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar.

Key features include:

• Two individual time trials spanning 40.6km and 31.2km, testing riders' pacing and endurance.
• Six summit finishes that will likely decide the general classification. These include the iconic climbs through the Alps, Apennines, and Dolomites, with a dramatic double ascent of Monte Grappa.

Key stages:

• Stage 2: San Francesco Al Campo - Santuario di Oropa, 150km (first summit finish)
• Stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme, 177km (gravel stage)
• Stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo, 153km (summit finish)
• Stage 16: Livigno - Santa Cristina Valgardena, 202km (includes Cima Coppi - Stelvio Pass)
• Stage 20: Alpago - Bassano del Grappa, 175km (final mountain stage)

Giro d'Italia: Tadej Pogacar Versus Geraint Thomas?

Tadej Pogacar of team UAE Emirates, entering his first Giro, is already a fan favorite and bookies' choice. 

He told La Stampa, "The race is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, challenging climbs and unpredictable weather. And I'm eager to test myself, I can't wait.

"Strategic energy management will be fundamental [with the Tour de France in mind]. While I will seize opportunities as they arise, I will also take the bigger picture into consideration, looking forward. It will be essential to find a balance between ambitions for the Giro and preparations for the Tour de France. 

"I want to do well in both races."

Geraint Thomas of INEOS Grenadiers, runner-up last year, is back. In 2023, he was crushed in a close mountain time trial after leading for several days. 

Thomas explained, "Obviously [last year's Giro d'Italia] didn't end the best way but with the start of the season I had I think it was still a good one, but we'll see what this year brings." 

Instead of Primoz Roglic, this year he faces a different Slovenian.

Other general classification contenders include Ben O'Connor (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale), Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich-PostNL), and the young talent Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike). 

Belgian Uijtdebroeks will be the most interesting to watch after the team will not be able to field Wout van Aert. He placed eighth in the Vuelta a España last year riding for Team Bora-Hansgrohe.

Canadian Michael Woods will line up for Team Israel-Premier Tech. It’s his third time in a career that includes second in a stage and 19th overall in 2018. After a stage win in the Tour de France last year, anything is possible for Woods in the Giro d’Italia.

Sprinters In The Giro d'Italia 2024

The sprint stages will see fierce competition among fast men like Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step), Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich-PostNL), and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), all ready to claim their share of stage victories in the flatter stages. There are about seven opportunities on offer.

How To Watch The 2024 Giro d'Italia

FloBikes viewers in Canada can watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia live and on demand starting May 4 and running through May 26. And for everyone on the planet, we will have in-depth reports and on-the-ground coverage.

As the peloton navigates the twists, climbs, and sprints of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, the drama of this grand tour will unfold beneath the Italian sun, from the cobbled streets of Torino to the historic heart of Rome. Can Tadej Pogacar do it? Add the Giro d'Italia to his resume and who knows, go on to win again in the Tour de France? Tune in starting May 4th for the Giro d'Italia.

The 21 Giro d'Italia Stages

• Stage 1: Venaria Reale - Turin, 136km (2024-05-04)
• Stage 2: San Francesco Al Campo - Santuario di Oropa, 150km (2024-05-05)
• Stage 3: Novara - Fossano, 165km (2024-05-06)
• Stage 4: Acqui Terme - Andora, 187km (2024-05-07)
• Stage 5: Genova - Lucca, 176km (2024-05-08)
• Stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme, 177km (2024-05-09)
• Stage 7: Foligno - Perugia, 37.2km (2024-05-10)
• Stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo, 153km (2024-05-11)
• Stage 9: Avezzano - Naples, 206km (2024-05-12)
• Rest Day (2024-05-13)
• Stage 10: Pompei - Cusano Mutri, 141km (2024-05-14)
• Stage 11: Foiano di Val Fortore - Francavilla al Mare, 203km (2024-05-15)
• Stage 12: Martinsicuro - Fano, 183km (2024-05-16)
• Stage 13: Riccione - Cento, 179km (2024-05-17)
• Stage 14: Castiglione delle Stiviere - Desenzano del Garda, 31km (2024-05-18)
• Stage 15: Manerba del Garda - Livigno, 220km (2024-05-19)
• Rest Day (2024-05-20)
• Stage 16: Livigno - Santa Cristina Valgardena, 202km (2024-05-21)
• Stage 17: Selva di Val Gardena - Passo Brocon, 159km (2024-05-22)
• Stage 18: Fiera di Primiero - Padova, 166km (2024-05-23)
• Stage 19: Mortegliano - Sappada, 155km (2024-05-24)
• Stage 20: Alpago - Bassano del Grappa, 175km (2024-05-25)
• Stage 21: Rome - Rome, 126km (2024-05-26)