The route for the 104th  Giro d’Italia is out and it looks to be a very tough edition for the ‘fight for pink’ taking on tough gravel sections, the infamous Monte Zoncolan and two individual time trials. The 2021 Italian Grand Tour is set to take place between May 8 to May 30 where the riders will tackle a massive 3,450km over 21 stages over most of the nation as well as some brief dips into Slovenia and Switzerland.

The event opens with a 9km time trial around the city of Turin quickly followed by chances for the fast men and climbers who have a good kick on some hilly days before taking on the first uphill finish to Sestola on stage four. Climbing is definitely the buzz word for this year’s race with stages six, eight and nine all taking on more than 3,000 metres of altitude gain.