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Giro d'Italia 2025Preview stage 18: From Morbegno to Cesano Maderno

Leon Weidner

 · 28.05.2025

Elevation profile of the 18th stage
Photo: RCS Sport
From 9 May to 1 June, the Giro d'Italia 2025 is on the pro riders' calendar. The 21 stages of the 108th edition will take the riders from Durrës in Albania to Rome. This is the 18th stage.
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The most important information about the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025

Route of the 18th stage of the Tour of Italy 2025

Elevation profile of the 18th stagePhoto: RCS SportElevation profile of the 18th stage

The 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025 leads the riders over 144 kilometres from Morbegno to Cesano Maderno. After the strenuous mountain stages of the previous days, the peloton can expect a predominantly flat route that is predestined for a bunch sprint. The start is in Morbegno, a charming town in the Bitto Valley, which is known for its gastronomic traditions and in particular its famous Bitto cheese. From there, the route initially heads slightly downhill in a southerly direction before turning into the plain. The destination is Cesano Maderno, a town in the Brianza region characterised by a harmonious combination of history and nature. The roads are mostly straight, but vary in width and pass through numerous villages, which brings with it the usual challenges. This characteristic of the route could cause some nervousness in the peloton, especially when it gets tight in the town crossings. The sprinters' teams will be keen to get their captains safely through these sections to put them in a good position for the finale. A flat circuit of around 13 kilometres awaits the riders in the final kilometres. This course features several sharp bends that interrupt the long straights. This technically demanding final lap could provide additional excitement, as the battles for position are likely to be particularly intense here. There are only two bends in the final three kilometres, the last of which leads into a 750-metre-long home straight on eight-metre-wide asphalt. This long finishing straight offers the sprinters the opportunity to form up optimally and bring their captains into position.

The 18th stage on the mapPhoto: RCS SportThe 18th stage on the map

Sporting assessment of the 18th stage

The final could be something for Olav Kooij againPhoto: Getty Images/Tim de WaeleThe final could be something for Olav Kooij again

In view of the flat profile and the long finishing straight, this stage is perfect for the sprinters in the peloton. After the exhausting mountain stages of the past few days, this is one of the few chances for the fast men to fight for a stage win. It is to be expected that the sprint teams will do everything they can to control the race and neutralise possible breakaway attempts early on. However, the technically demanding final lap could provide some surprises. The numerous bends require maximum concentration and riding skills from the riders. A well-positioned team could try to tear the race apart here and make life difficult for the pure sprinters. This lap also offers opportunities for breakaway riders who may be able to break away from the peloton in the final phase. How the teams tackle the final kilometres will be decisive for the outcome of the stage. The finishing straight of the stage favours a classic bunch sprint, in which the sprint trains have to position their captains perfectly. The nervous final phase with its many bends always harbours the risk of crashes, so the teams of the favourites will be keen to position their captains well in order to minimise risks.

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Leon Weidner

Working student

Leon Philip Weidner is from Cologne, follows professional cycling closely and is a passionate road cyclist himself. In addition to long kilometres in the saddle of a road bike, he also regularly rides a time trial bike - always with his eye on the next triathlon. His expertise combines sporting practice with knowledge of the scene.

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