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87th Giro d'Italia - Grand Tour
Italy, May 8-30, 2004
2004 Giro d'Italia revealed
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The route for the 2004 Giro d'Italia, the 87th edition of the Italian national tour, was unveiled today in Milan, Italy. Next year's race could be deceptively difficult, with a balanced yet apparently modest profile for the three weeks. However, the race technically features more climbing than 2003, and the average stage length is longer. The Giro will visit the city of Trieste, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its return to Italy following World War II, and will make brief international incursions into Croatia and Slovenia.
The 2004 Giro will begin May 8 with a prologue time trial in Genova, designated a European City of Culture, and conclude with a traditional road stage into Milan. The total distance of the parcours is 3,435 kilometres, which is 50 km shorter than the 2003 Giro. However, with a prologue time trial and 20 stages, compared to 2003 which featured 21 stages but no prologue, the average stage length (171.75 km) will be longer than the previous edition.
After the Genova opener, the route heads to southern Italy until stage 9, which ends in Carovigno near the heel of Italy's 'boot'. A transfer back north will take the race to Porto Sant-Elpidio, halfway up, before hugging the eastern coast and venturing to Slovenia and Croatia. Looping back to the north and west, the Giro tackles the mountains before working its way to the finish in Milan.
Overall the 2004 Giro offers a typical mix of conditions for a grand tour: 12 flat stages, four rolling stages, three in the high mountains, and one individual time trial (besides the prologue), not to mention two rest days. The combined 59 kilometres against the clock is a notable drop from the previous two editions of the race which featured just over 80 km of time trials.
Although three stages in the high mountains doesn't appear too challenging, the 2004 Giro will include 18,500 metres of climbing vs. 17,300 metres in 2003. The inclusion of the famed Passo del Mortirolo on the penultimate stage, along with two other climbs, should keep the race exciting through the final, presumably decisive week.
Cyclingnews' European Editor Tim Maloney was on hand at the Giro presentation and will provide an in-depth review of the parcours, along with reactions from the riders who will hope to challenge for the 2004 maglia rosa.
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The Stages
Prologue - May 8: Prologue ITT, 7 km
Stage 1 - May 9: Genova - Alba, 149 km
Stage 2 - May 10: Novi Ligure - Pontremoli, 183 km
Stage 3 - May 11: Pontremoli - Corno Alle Scale, 190 km
Stage 4 - May 12: Porretta Terme - Civitella in Val Di Chiana, 187 km
Stage 5 - May 13: Civitella in Val Di Chiana - Spoleto, 174 km
Stage 6 - May 14: Spoleto - Valmontone, 163 km
Stage 7 - May 15: Frosinone - Montevergine Di Mercogliano, 211 km
Stage 8 - May 16: Giffoni Valle Piana - Policoro, 234 km
Stage 9 - May 17: Policoro - Carovigno, 142 km
Rest Day - May 18
Stage 10 - May 19: Porto Sant'Elpidio - Ascoli Piceno, 145 km
Stage 11 - May 20: Porto Sant-Elpidio - Cesena, 229 km
Stage 12 - May 21: Cesena - Treviso, 216 km
Stage 13 - May 22: Trieste - Altopiano Carsico ITT, 52 km
Stage 14 - May 23: Trieste - Pula/Pola, 166 km
Stage 15 - May 24: Porec/Parenzo - San Vendemiano, 229 km
Stage 16 - May 25: San Vendemiano - Falzes, 215 km
Rest Day - May 26
Stage 17 - May 27: Brunico - Fondo Sarnonico, 158 km
Stage 18 - May 28: Cles Val di Non - Bormio 2000, 120 km
Stage 19 - May 29: Bormio - Presolana, 121 km
Stage 20 - May 30: Clusone - Milano, 144 km
Total distance: 3,435 km
Mountaintop finishes
Stage 3 - May 11: Pontremoli - Corno Alle Scale (12.8km, avg. 5.2%)
Stage 7 - May 15: Frosinone - Montevergine Di Mercogliano (17.1km, avg. 5.0%)
Stage 18 - May 28: Cles Val di Non - Bormio 2000, 120 km (9.9km, avg. 7.5%)
