On Friday 9th of May, Intermarché-Wanty begins the fifth Tour of Italy in its history with an exceptional Grande Partenza in Durrës, Albania. On their route towards the capital Rome on 1st of June, the selection directed by Dimitri Claeys and Bart Wellens will face a 21-stage course divided into two individual time trials, six flat stages, eight hilly stages, and five mountain stages, including three summit finishes.
COURSE
The three-day Grande Partenza in Albania promises to be intense, with 1900 and 3000 meters of elevation gain to conquer during the first stage towards Tirana and the third stage around Vlorë respectively. The individual time trial on the second day in the streets of the capital is 13.7 kilometers long and includes a categorized climb.
After a transfer day to Italy on Monday 12th of May, the first bunch sprint is expected in Lecce for the fourth stage. The Giro then passes through the finishes in Matera and Naples before the first uphill finish on the seventh day, on the steep slopes of Tagliacozzo (12 km at 5.6%). A second day through the Abruzzo region, the home region of Italian wine partner Vini Fantini, brings the riders closer to Tuscany, where a spectacular gravel stage with five “sterrati” sectors is on the menu on Sunday 18th of May. A route with 20 kilometers of unpaved roads leads the peloton over the same finale as the Strade Bianche towards the Piazza del Campo in Siena.
Following the second rest day on Monday 19th of May, a flat 28 kilometer individual time trial between Lucca and Pisa opens the second week. Immediately, another mountain stage looms with a finish in Castelnovo ne’ Monti. Three transition stages then lead the peloton to the first confrontation with the Alps, the fifteenth stage to Asiago featuring the climb of the mythical Monte Grappa (25km at 5.7%).
True to its reputation, the Giro offers a demanding third week with no fewer than four high mountain stages, including two summit finishes. The sixteenth stage ends with a long climb to the summit of San Valentino di Brentonico (18km at 6.2%). The next day, the Passo del Mortirolo (12.7% at 7.6%) appears on the course en route to the finish in Bormio. The queen stage of this edition arrives on the penultimate day, with the ascent of the Colle delle Finestre (18.4 km at 9.2%), the Cima Coppi with a summit at 2178 meters and partially unpaved roads, followed by an uphill finish in Sestriere. Traditionally, the Giro concludes with a criterium through the historic streets of the capital Rome.
South African Louis Meintjes is preparing for his nineteenth Grand Tour, bolstered by five top 10 finishes in general classifications, including a noteworthy seventh place in the Tour de France. This is the third time he’s competing in the Giro, but the very first time in the Intermarché-Wanty jersey.
Belgian sprinter Gerben Thijssen is making his Giro debut, surrounded by experienced riders to guide him, including Gijs Van Hoecke and Dion Smith, as well as Taco van der Hoorn, who returns to the race for the first time since his brilliant victory in the 2021 edition following a formidable breakaway to Canale.
An Italian trio completes the selection with Francesco Busatto, from Bassano del Grappa, starting his first Grand Tour, in addition to the Lombardy climbers Simone Petilli and Kevin Colleoni, who will be competing on home soil during the eighteenth stage.
"Our selection of eight riders for this Giro d'Italia includes several spearheads, each with specific goals on different terrains. Louis Meintjes and Taco van der Hoorn have both already proven their worth with Intermarché-Wanty in a Grand Tour. With Taco, we've identified the stages that are favorable for breakaways, right from the start in Albania. As for Louis, we're focusing on the very intense final week. With the team, we need to support him optimally and keep him in the battle as well as possible until we reach the Alps. Uphill, Simone Petilli and Kevin Colleoni will play a crucial role in this. We expect that by then, many riders will still be close together at the top of the general classification. With confidence in his abilities, we will look for opportunities for Louis and patiently await his strong final week, which is usually his best." "We are also investing in the development of two young, fast riders, Gerben Thijssen and Francesco Busatto, for whom this Giro could mark an important step in their careers. Gerben will be able to count on an experienced sprint train, composed of Gijs Van Hoecke and Dion Smith, to make the most of the sprint opportunities. He has prepared well, and the experience gained during his debut in the Tour de France, combined with composure, could be the key to success. Francesco Busatto will have numerous finales that should suit him well for his first Grand Tour. He will have the opportunity to showcase his solid performances from the autumn classics of 2024 at a higher level." "The preparation for this Giro has been intensive, both sportingly and technically. With our trainers, we organized a high-altitude training camp in the Sierra Nevada. Furthermore, our nutrition and clothing partners have provided us with optimal support to be prepared for all weather conditions. With our technical partners, we paid particular attention to the gravel stage, building on our success in Paris-Roubaix. This is undoubtedly the most comprehensive preparation for a Grand Tour that we have undertaken in close collaboration with our partners. We hope that this investment will pay off over the next three weeks."
"After focusing on the Tour de France for several years with Intermarché-Wanty, I'm motivated for my return to the Giro d'Italia, my first since 2020. It's been a refreshing change from the routine of the past few seasons, requiring me to adapt my approach and preparation. I've had a busier start to the year and feel my form building well. My sensations in Abruzzo were positive, except for the unfortunate weather on the queen stage. After helping Zimmermann to the overall win there, I went to an altitude camp in Sierra Nevada with the team. I feel well-prepared for my third Giro. My previous experiences here weren't ideal, as I wasn't in top condition, but I'm determined to change that this year. My goal is to be active in the front of the race on several stages and achieve some success, whether through a breakaway or potentially in the general classification. If the weather cooperates, I believe I can contend for the GC. The Giro and Vuelta offer a different dynamic compared to the Tour, with more open racing and opportunities for riders without fixed roles, making it less predictable and more engaging or difficult to join a breakaway. Beyond the racing, I'm also looking forward to experiencing Italy's diverse landscapes and the unique Grande Partenza in Albania, a region I've yet to explore."
"My debut in the Giro will also be my first race in mainland Italy since the Giro Next Gen in 2018. That brings back good memories; I finished second in the stage to Forlì before winning the Belgian U23 national title shortly after. These positive experiences motivate me even more to dive into the deep end, especially after my Giro debut was postponed last year due to my crash in the Scheldeprijs. It would be a dream to raise my arms in victory right in my debut, on one of the sprint stages that are perfect for me. That would represent an important phase in my career, reducing the gap to the best international sprinters. I know I can count on experienced teammates. My lead-out man Gijs Van Hoecke, with whom I prepared for the Giro during a training camp in Spain, Dion Smith, the recent winner of the Volta NXT Classic, and also Taco van der Hoorn and his powerful engine – this trio will be crucial support for me to achieve my podium ambition. Personally, I feel much stronger and more experienced since my debut in the Tour de France in 2024. And last winter, we built on that to be even better physically prepared for the demanding conditions of a Grand Tour."
"My stage victory in the Giro of 2021 remains the highlight of my career; it's the achievement people associate me with the most, especially on the podium during team presentations. That's what makes it even more special. Winning a stage in a Grand Tour is unique, and I'm proud to have achieved it. I'm returning for the first time since then because the calendar changes for the classics in May made it possible to add the Giro to my program. I'm delighted about this, as there are many opportunities for attackers. Some stages designed for breakaways seem a bit too difficult for me on paper, like the gravel stage towards Siena, but that won't stop me from trying. I also have a good idea of the days when I want to play a support role for our leaders Gerben Thijssen and Louis Meintjes. With our well-balanced team, we can make our mark on all types of profiles. I've had a good preparation, under the guidance of my trainer and our sports dieticians, and I'm ready to wear the Intermarché-Wanty colours on the attack."
"My first Giro promises to be very special and incredibly exciting. As a child, I never missed a stage on television. The atmosphere of the Giro is simply unique, and I can already imagine the crowds lining the roads. Stages 13 and 15 have particular significance for me because they pass through my native region, where I've built my training base over the years. I'm lucky to be part of an experienced team for my first Grand Tour. It's a fantastic group, and I'm eager to learn from my teammates. They've emphasized the importance of being careful to conserve energy. I'm going to focus on the stages where we can excel collectively, and those where I potentially have good chances. Dimitri Claeys and I have already identified key stages for me to target and others where I should conserve energy. Our altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada was perfect: a beautiful region and excellent company, which made the time fly by. The training went smoothly; I was able to follow the plan of my trainer Christophe Prémont, being careful not to overdo it at altitude. I feel ready to be in excellent condition at the start of the Giro."
