Giro d'Italia 2024: More royal stage is not possible - this is stage 15
Sebastian Lindner
· 19.05.2024
Stage 15 | Sunday, 19 May | Manerba del Garda - Livigno (Mottolino) | 222 kilometres
The bare figures are incredible. At 222 kilometres, the 15th stage is the longest of the Giro d'Italia 2024. 5700 metres in altitude are also unrivalled. Plus a mountain finish at 2385 metres - it couldn't be more of a royal stage. It all starts quite harmlessly. At Lake Garda in Manerba del Garda. From there, the route heads north-west to the northern tip of the neighbouring Lago d'Iseo.
By then, a good 80 kilometres have been ridden and the first two mountain classifications have been completed. The first climb is up to Lodrino (3rd category), then it gets a little more strenuous. 14 kilometres with an average gradient of 6.6 per cent and 14 at the top have to be mastered up to the summit of Colle san Zeno before a long descent to Pisogne. From there, the route heads northwards through the Camonica Valley. And always slightly uphill. Up to the Mortirolo (1st category).
This time, it is taken from the slightly easier side from the south. That means 12.6 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.6 percent and a maximum of 16. 155 kilometres have been ridden by the time you reach the top - but that still leaves almost 70 kilometres open. First of all, they lead down to Grosio via many hairpin bends and then on towards Bormio. There is a bend to the west towards Livigno.
And therefore steeper uphill again. This is because the route leads over the Passo di Foscagno, which is another 15 kilometres with an average gradient of 6.4 per cent. After a short descent, the Passo di Eira awaits. But it doesn't end there. Another 1850 extremely tough metres await up to the Mottolino ski area, which belongs to Livigno. This is where the Giro ends for the first time. After another two sections with a 19 per cent gradient. The average gradient there is ten per cent. Only the last 100 metres or so are relatively flat again.
Sporting assessment of the 15th stage
It's a real monster stage that awaits the riders here. It's actually too difficult for breakaways. Unless, perhaps, a group is found that only goes on the last few metres of the Mortirolo. However, the fact that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) will hardly want to be denied victory on the queen stage speaks against this.
However, as many riders in the peloton are suffering from health problems and are battling colds and infections, the day may be a little quieter. If that doesn't happen, there can be really clear gaps here. But even without a cautious ride, there could be minutes to spare if someone overtakes on the Mortirolo. The last two kilometres alone, with their extremely steep sections, are enough for that. However, the winner will almost certainly be able to celebrate in peace, as a soloist at the finish line is almost inevitable. Whoever makes it to the finish will have earned the following rest day.
Giro d'Italia 2024 - Stage 15: The most important information at a glance
- Mountain stage with mountain finish over 222 kilometres
- Mountain classifications: 5, sprint classifications: 3
- Start time: approx. 10:25 am
- Estimated arrival time: between 15:51 and 16:34
- TV: from 10:15 a.m. Eurosport 1
- Live stream: from 10:15 a.m. Discovery Plus
- More info on TV broadcast & live stream
