Giro d'Italia, the Shark Nibali presents the Tuscan stages: "Beware of pitfalls and traps"

Florence, 15 May 2025 - Vincenzo Nibali grew up cycling in Toscana, he knows the dirt roads of Siena well, the dust of those roads, as well as the time trials, a little less the tough climb of San Pellegrino in Alpe.

“When I was in Toscana in operation, headquarters in Mastromarco, the areas of the Garfagnana they were not those of my training. Several runners who know it well told me that it is really hard and difficult, even if it will be faced after 90 km and therefore still far from the Emilian finish line of Castelnuovo ne' Monti, but anything can happen in that stage that will start from Viareggio, also because the riders will be coming from the hard work of the time trial 24 hours before”.

Therefore, the Tuscan stages, taking into account also the one with arrival in Siena on Sunday, will be important.

“These are not easy stages, they are treacherous and demanding, the one with the dirt roads, the time trial of almost 30 km and the climb in the stage that will start from Versilia”.

Returning to the time trial, a sort of watershed for the 2025 Giro d'Italia.

“I would definitely say yes, the area where the time trial from Lucca to Pisa takes place is often affected by the wind which would be an additional threat. On Tuesday afternoon, at the end of the race against the clock, the general classification could take on a precise shape”.

And the stage from Gubbio to Piazza del Campo in Siena?

“Equally difficult and important, and let's not forget that in the two previous days there will be two tough and difficult stages with the uphill finish tomorrow Friday in Tagliacozzo, and on Saturday the equally challenging stage with the finish in Castelraimondo. The rest will be done by the Umbrian-Tuscan stage from Gubbio to Siena”.

It will be the first real clash between Roglic and Ayuso.

"In the meantime, let's see what happens first, I would add that in the Siena stage the contribution and support of the team will also count a lot and in this sense Ayuso is certainly at an advantage. Roglic will have to be at his best on Sunday among the dust of the Siena roads, in a stage that I would define as a trap".

More generally, what kind of Giro is this year?

“A new race, without Pogacar, there are and there will be important challenges along the way, it will be a beautiful Giro, fascinating as always, but watch out for the pitfalls”.

Roglic or Ayuso your favorite?

"For the Slovenian it will be a new experience to manage the first place in the standings, we will see how he will do. As for the Spaniard Ayuso, he is young and they are managing him well, without rushing with a constant growth".

There are important stages for the pink race.

It's true that the last week will be tough, I'm thinking of the Mortirolo, the Colle delle Finestre, it promises to be a spectacular finale to the Giro".

It will be tough for the Italians, Nibali is missing.

"I'll name two people who can do well, Tiberi and Ciccone. I know Tiberi well, he can also think about the classification to finish on the podium, while I see Ciccone more for the stages, he started the Giro well working continuously in favor of his teammate Pedersen, who coincidentally won three stages and one, the one in Matera, with the pink jersey on his shoulders".

What other name could it be?

“Carapaz and Bernal for the classification, Landa unfortunately was forced to retire in Albania due to the fall, Yates, Bardet, Hindley. Among the Italians we will see what Piganzoli, Pellizzari, Fortunato will do. After the Tuscan stages the ideas will certainly be clearer, even if the road to Rome will still be long and full of difficulties”.