Tuscany welcomes the Giro: the Gubbio-Siena stage could turn the standings upside down
Twenty-nine and a half kilometers of dirt roads, an additional danger for the men in the general classification
Tuscany welcomes the Giro
Gubbio, 17 May 2025 – Two great cycling champions such as Vincenzo Nibali and Paolo Bettini who are following the Giro d'Italia have no doubts. The stage of tomorrow Sunday 18th May from Gubbio to Siena is essential, among the dust of the dirt roads the Giro d'Italia number 108 could explode and the group split. Our thoughts go to the Slovenian Primois Roglic who has never competed in the Siena road race in March as it was deemed unsuitable for his abilities.
This time in the Giro d'Italia he cannot back out and it will be interesting to see his behavior on the dirt roads and that of his team Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe. The other big favorite of the pink race the twenty-two year old Spaniard Juan Ayuso, ambitious but balanced, could also strike the blows supported by a team, UAE Team Emirates, which has excellent athletes
“In Albania – he states Joxean Matxin Fernandez, coach and talent scout of the UAE Emirates team - there was a bit of chaos, but it was the same for everyone. The dirt road in Siena, the time trial on Tuesday from Lucca to Pisa and the last week will be decisive”.
The Gubbio-Siena stage
One of the highlights of the Giro in a unique setting in the world: it is the dirt stage which features in the finale a large part of the of the White Roads (the southernmost Northern Classic in Europe). After approaching Siena, you will face 5 sections of dirt road, characterized by stones, dust and charm, made famous by the Strade Bianche for a total of 29,5 km. In succession they are: Pieve a Salti (8 km), Serravalle (9,3 km), San Martino in Grania (9,3 km), Monteaperti (0,6 km), Colle Pinzuto (2,3 km).
The entrance to Siena from Fontebranda with the “wall” of Santa Caterina (peaks of 17%) before entering Piazza del Campo. In total there will be 181 kilometers scheduled with departure from Gubbio at 13:XNUMX and a difference in altitude of 2.500 metres. A spectacular stage on roads that have hosted the great cycling in March for years with the road race “Strade Bianche”. There are no particularly challenging climbs planned even if there are two mountain grand prix, but travelling on dirt roads will be tough and the reference is Colle Pinzuto and Fontebranda.
The roadmap
The official start from Gubbio at 13,05 pm, to touch the localities of Mocaiana and Umbertide (km 26). Before the fortieth kilometre the entrance into the Province of Arezzo in the area of Mercatale di Cortona, Camucia (Km 66, 14,40 pm), Foiano della Chiana. At kilometre 83 the Giro will enter the province of Siena with the passage through Sinalunga (km 91, 15,20 hours), San Giovanni d'Asso with the first dirt sector, then Buonconvento (km 123, 16,20 hours), San Martino in Grania, Monteaperti, Colle Pinzuto (km 167, 17,05 hours) fifth and final dirt section. Finally the arrival in Piazza del Campo in Siena after 181 kilometres is expected at an average speed of 42 km/h for 17,25. The two intermediate sprints are scheduled in Mercatale of Cortona and Sinalunga, the special Red Bull finish line with time bonuses at Colle Pinzuto, the two mountain grand prix at La Cima (km 62,4) and San Martino in Grania (km 147). An hour and a half before the race, the advertising caravan will pass along the route to complete the fascinating spectacle of the Giro d'Italia.
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