Stage 15 | Sunday, 21 May | Seregno - Bergamo | 195 kilometres
There are barely 50 kilometres on the map between Seregno near Milan and Bergamo. But after the peloton has conquered the first and biggest hurdle of the day after 46 kilometres, the Valico di Valcava (1st category), there are circuits on the programme.
First, two category 2 climbs to Selvino and Miragolo San Salvatore are tackled on an extra loop before the finish line in Bergamo is reached for the first time after 138 kilometres. Then, around 30 kilometres before the end of the day in Roncola Alta, the third and final climb of the day is completed before the riders head back to the finish on familiar roads.
The finale is then challenging, both topographically and technically. Four kilometres before the finish, the route climbs steeply into the old town of Bergamo. Eight per cent on average, up to twelve at the top, plus cobblestones in places. The last three kilometres are then downhill with several sharp bends and road narrowings that are not without danger. The finishing straight is 800 metres long and flat on the last section.
Sporting assessment of the 15th stage
The 15th stage is officially classed as a mountain stage. With an altitude difference of 3600 metres, it certainly deserves it. But it is the easiest of the difficult stages. And presumably an affair for breakaways, those interested in the mountain jersey and riders from the back of the top 20 in the overall standings who want to fight their way to the front with a little more risk.
To put further pressure on the competition, one of the trump cards in the incredibly cohesive Ineos-Grenadiers team will also be part of an early group. However, the favourites for the overall victory will hold back as much as possible and ride as passively as possible, because after the rest day, the next mountain top finish awaits at the start of the third week.
Schedule, TV coverage & live stream of the 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023
After the start at 11:45 a.m., the first 4.7 kilometres will be neutralised. The race organisers expect between 35 and 39 km/h for the stretch after the sharp start. This means a calculated finish time for the winner of between 16:53 and 17:33.
Eurosport is broadcasting all stages of the Giro d'Italia. On TV, the 15th stage will be shown free-to-air on Eurosport 1 from 11.30 am. Including post-stage coverage, the broadcast will run until 17:45. The paid providers GCN+ and Discovery+ will also be showing a live stream on the internet from 11.30am.
Giro d'Italia 2023 - Stage 15: The most important information at a glance
- Mountain stage over 195 kilometres
- Start of the stage: 11:45 am
- Estimated arrival time: between 16:53 and 17:33
- TV broadcast: 11:30 - 17:45 Eurosport 1
- Live stream: GCN+ and Discovery+ from 11:30 a.m.
