Seven mountain top finishes, seven sprint finishes and three time trials

The route for the 2011 Giro d’Italia (May 7 – 29, 2011) was announced in Torino today and with seven mountain top finishes, the climbers won’t have much to complain about. But seven sprint finishes will also leave the sprinters happy, while the beginning, middle and end are marked by time trials.

The race is held to honor the 150-year history since the unification on March 17, 1861. Race director Angelo Zomegnan said that every race has its pillars and 2011 won’t be an exception. “There definitely will be references to 150 years of our country’s history. It is no accident that the race will start in Torino, first capital of Italy,” Zomegnan said on Gazetta’s website, which also hosts the Giro d’Italia.

The route is 3498 kilometers long and will first travel down the western coastline until it hits Sicily and twice in one stage climbs up the Etna volcano. Via the Adriatic seaside, the race will then travel towards the mountains. A visit to neighboring Austria takes in some of the toughest climbs, such as the 3,798-meter high Großglockner pass.

The very next stage finishes atop the Monte Zoncolan, giving another opportunity to the lightweight overall hopefuls. The second rest day is followed by a very short 12.7-kilometer time trial – short time trials mean they are usually uphill and the stage from Belluno to Nevegal is no exception, with a seven-kilometer climb (the first five kilometers are around ten percent) bringing the riders to the finish in an altitude of 1043 meters.

The last three days offer incredible excitement – as long as you just have to watch. Two back-to-back mountain top finishes and the final time trial in Milano will break the last legs.

Vuelta winner Vincenzo Nibali also noticed the many mountains. “This is one of the toughest routes I have seen.” He should enjoy the many hilltop finishes, though. His performance at the Vuelta and especially countering Ezequiel Mosquera’s attack to clinch the overall title should leave Nibali with plenty of confidence. Michele Scarponi also noticed the undulating terrain. “Wow, there are a lot of climbs!”

But even sprinters like Alessandro Petacchi are happy. “Seven sprints are enough,” he said. “It surely is a beautiful Giro d’Italia for us sprinters.” He may not have referred to the final week with all the climbing and time trialing.

The race ends in Milano again, after the change to Rome this year. A race against the clock will cap the Giro. “The 32km time trial in Milano will be spectacular,” Nibali said. Alessandro Ballan couldn’t help but notice that the route offered something for everyone. “It is positive for the climbers, the time trialers and the sprinters,” he said in Torino.

The Giro is offering some new mountains, but also tried to bring back popular routes, like the Monte Zoncolan. “Without memory there is no future,” Zomegnan said.

The route

Stage 1, TTT – Saturday, May 7 : Venaria Reale – Torino – 21.5 km
Stage 2 – Sunday, May 8 : Alba – Parma – 242 km
Stage 3 – Monday, May 9 : Reggio Emilia – Rapallo – 178 km
Stage 4 – Tuesday, May 10 : Quarto dei Mille – Livorno – 208 km
Stage 5 – Wednesday, May 11 : Piombino – Orvieto – 201 km
Stage 6 – Thursday, May 12 : Orvieto – Fiuggi Terme – 195 km
Stage 7 – Friday, May 13 : Maddaloni – Montevergine di Mercogliano – 100 km
Stage 8 – Saturday, May 14 : Sapri – Tropea – 214 km
Stage 9 – Sunday, May 15 : Messina – Etna – 159 km
Rest day – Sunday, May 16
Stage 10 – Tuesday, May 17 : Termoli – Teramo – 156 km
Stage 11 – Wednesday, May 18 : Teramo – Castelfidardo – 162 km
Stage 12 – Thursday, May 19 : Castelfidardo – Ravenna – 171 km
Stage 13 – Friday, May 20 : Spilimbergo – Grossclockner (AT) – 159 km
Stage 14 – Saturday, May 21 : Lienz (AT) – Monte Zoncolan – 210 km
Stage 15 – Sunday, May 22 : Conegliano – Gardeccia Val di Fassa – 230 km
Rest day – Sunday, May 23
Stage 16 – Tuesday, May 24 : Belluno – Nevegal – 12.7 km
Stage 17 – Wednesday, May 25 : Feltre – Sondrio – 246 km
Stage 18 – Thursday, May 26 : Morbegno – San Pellegrino Terme – 147 km
Stage 19 – Friday, May 27 : Bergamo – Macugnaga – 211 km
Stage 20 – Saturday, May 28 : Verbania – Sestrière – 242 km
Stage 21 – Sunday, May 29 : Milano – 32.8 km

Total Distance 3498 kilometer