Stage 1 | Saturday, 4 May | Venaria Reale - Turin | 140 kilometres
A Grande Partenza in Venaria Reale is nothing new. The Giro began in the Turin suburb back in 2011, back then with a team time trial. In 2018, the 19th stage to Bardonecchia started here, where Chris Froome rode to the pink jersey with an insane solo and thus won his only Giro d'Italia.
Neither a time trial nor a mountain finish, but the 1st stage is not a classic Giro opener this year either. Over 140 kilometres, the route follows a clockwise arc from the northern suburbs through the eastern foothills towards the centre of Turin, where the stage will end. The finish line is crossed for the first time after 112 kilometres, before a smaller loop follows.
Superga: Remembering the plane crash exactly 75 years ago
There are three climbs to tackle on the way, one category 4, one category 3 and one category 2, the Colle Maddalena, 22 kilometres before the finish. Three kilometres before the end, there is another climb that should not be underestimated, which is on the part of the route that is ridden twice.
However, the most notable climb of the day is probably the second one, up to the pilgrimage church of Superga. For many years, the climb was not only used as the finale for Milan-Turin. Federico Bahamontes won here in 1958 when the Giro finished in front of the chapel for the first time. In 2005 with a time trial and most recently in 2022, the Giro was also held here. The fact that Superga is also on the programme this year is no coincidence. Exactly 75 years ago to the day, an aeroplane crashed here, damaging parts of the church in the process. All 31 passengers lost their lives, including almost the entire AC Turin football team, which was winning back-to-back championship titles at the time.
Sporting assessment of the 1st stage
The race gets off to a flying start. It is unlikely that a large field will reach the finish line together. If the race is ridden cautiously, perhaps one or two sprinters who are halfway up the mountain will make it into the final in a larger group.
But it's just as possible that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has the desire to ride the Giro from start to finish in the maglia rosa. That the Slovenian can also sprint when in doubt, he recently proved himself at the Tour of Catalonia. However, if he steps on the gas at Colle Maddalena or on the last wave in San Vito, he can also decide the stage as a soloist. The fact that the course on the final lap is quite twisty in places also speaks against the arrival of a larger group together.
Giro d'Italia 2024 - Stage 1: The most important information at a glance
- Hilly stage over 140 kilometres
- Mountain classifications: 3, sprint classifications: 3
- Start time: 13:50
- Estimated arrival time: between 17:05 and 17:26
- TV: from 13:30 Eurosport 1
- Live stream: 13:30 Discovery Plus
- More info on TV broadcast & live stream
