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Giro d'Italia 2025Preview stage 20: Queen stage with Cima Coppi on the Colle delle Finestre

Leon Weidner

 · 30.05.2025

Elevation profile of the 20th 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 20th stage.
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The most important information about the 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025

Route of the 20th stage of the Tour of Italy 2025

Elevation profile of the 20th stagePhoto: RCS SportElevation profile of the 20th stage

The penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025 promises a spectacular finale in the battle for overall victory. On the 205-kilometre route from Verrès to Sestrière, the riders will have to conquer a total of 4500 metres in altitude. The start is at 10:45 am and the finish is expected between 4:02 pm and 4:36 pm.

The Colle del LysPhoto: RCS SportThe Colle del LysThe highest point of the tour: Colle delle FinestrePhoto: RCS SportThe highest point of the tour: Colle delle Finestre

The stage begins flat in the Aosta Valley and initially leads through the Canavese region. After around 70 kilometres, the series of challenging climbs in the Valli di Lanzo begins. The first categorised mountain is the Colle del Lys, a 13.8-kilometre climb with an average gradient of 6.3 per cent. After the descent, the riders reach the Dora Riparia valley and arrive in Susa, where the climb to the Colle delle Finestre begins.

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Final ascent to SestrièrePhoto: RCS SportFinal ascent to Sestrière

At 2178 metres, the Colle delle Finestre is the highest point of the Giro d'Italia 2025, where the "Cima Coppi" will be awarded. The "Cima Coppi" is awarded every year to the rider who reaches the highest point of the Giro first. The 18.5-kilometre climb is a tough one: with an average gradient of 9.2 per cent and a maximum gradient of 14 per cent in Meana di Susa, it challenges the riders to the limit. A special feature is the change of road surface after 9 kilometres. The last 9 kilometres are on a gravel road, which presents additional technical challenges. On the last 4 kilometres, 29 hairpin bends await the athletes. The subsequent descent to Pian dell'Alpe is narrow and exposed, which requires maximum concentration. From there, the final climb to Sestrière begins. The last few kilometres are on a well-maintained state road with an even gradient of around 5 per cent. The finishing straight is 400 metres long and 6.5 metres wide.

The 20th stage on the mapPhoto: RCS SportThe 20th stage on the map

Sporting assessment of the royal stage

The Colle delle Finestre was already on the programme in 2018Photo: Getty Images/Luca BettiniThe Colle delle Finestre was already on the programme in 2018

The 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025 has the potential to shake up the overall standings once again. The long and steep climb to the Colle delle Finestre with its gravel section offers opportunities for strong climbers to attack. Smaller groups or individual riders could break away here. The technically demanding descent requires riding skills and could also lead to time differences. The final climb to Sestrière is not as steep, but after the previous exertions, time gaps will also develop here. The overall leaders will have to be vigilant and react to attacks from their rivals. For the stage chasers, this is one of the last chances for a prestigious victory. It can be assumed that the favourites for overall victory will once again give their all here in order to create a good starting position for the final stage.

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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