Giro 2018: Favourites
The 101st Giro d’Italia was headlined by title defender Tom Dumoulin, Chris Froome and Fabio Aru, while Miguel Ángel López, Thibaut Pinot, Simon Yates, Domenico Pozzovivo, Esteban Chaves and George Bennett were also eyeing up the GC. Elia Viviani was the only stellar sprinter on the Corsa Rosa, yet Sam Bennett made a name for himself with three stage wins. Chris Froome won the GC after three weeks of tough racing.
Read about the GC contenders, or navigate the table below for the favourites to win individual stages. Obviously, all these articles were written before the start of the 2018 Giro.
Favourites 2018 Giro d'Italia – per stage:
| Date | Favourites | Length | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fr 4-5 | Time triallist for first maglia rosa | 9.7 km | ITT (flat) |
| 2 | Sa 5-5 | Fast finishers showdown in Tel Aviv | 167.0 km | flat |
| 3 | Su 6-5 | Southernmost Giro-sprint ever | 229.0 km | flat |
| Mo 7-5 | Rest day | |||
| 4 | Tu 8-5 | >Perfect course for attackers | 202.0 km | hills |
| 5 | We 9-5 | Bold descenders and punchy finishers | 153.0 km | hills |
| 6 | Th 10-5 | Mount Etna for first GC clash | 169.0 km | mountain finish |
| 7 | Fr 11-5 | Sprint in Praia-on-Sea | 159.0 km | flat |
| 8 | Sa 12-5 | Escapees or GC-contenders? | 209.0 km | mountain finish |
| 9 | Su 13-5 | Strike on final haul up of some 50 kilometres | 224.0 km | mountain finish |
| Mo 14-5 | Rest day | |||
| 10 | Tu 15-5 | Perfect course for attackers | 244.0 km | hills, flat finish |
| 11 | We 16-5 | Attackers and punchers to honour Scarponi | 156.0 km | hills |
| 12 | Th 17-5 | Fast finishers at Imola race track | 214.0 km | flat |
| 13 | Fr 18-5 | Sprinters battle it out | 180.0 km | flat |
| 14 | Sa 19-5 | King Zoncolan! | 186.0 km | mountains |
| 15 | Su 20-5 | Breakaway boys with climbing legs | 176.0 km | mountains |
| Ma 21-5 | Rest day | |||
| 16 | Tu 22-5 | Tom Dumoulin versus Rohan Dennis | 34.2 km | ITT (flat) |
| 17 | We 23-5 | Sprint at Lake Iseo | 155.0 km | hills, flat finish |
| 18 | Th 24-5 | Clash on long haul up to the line | 196.0 km | mountain finish |
| 19 | Fr 25-5 | Pure-bred climbers for Queen Stage victory | 185.0 km | mountains |
| 20 | Sa 26-5 | Last blast in the high mountains | 214.0 km | mountains |
| 21 | Su 27-5 | Roman Games... bunch sprint! | 115.0 km | flat |
Giro d'Italia 2018: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click the images to enlarge
Stage 14: Monte Zoncolan
Stage 19: Colle delle Finestre
Stage 19: Colle di Sestriere
Stage 19: Monte Jafferau
Time triallists for first maglia rosa
The first maglia Rosa in the 2018 Giro d'Italia is for the rider who is the fastest on the 9.7 kilometres time trial course in Jerusalem. A Tom Dumoulin - Rohan Dennis crash is the most likely scenario.Read more »
Fast finishers showdown in Tel Aviv
The Giro d'Italia's 2nd stage should be for the fast finishers. The pan-flat course runs from Haifa to Tel Aviv. Is Elia Viviani going to extend QuickStep's winning streak?Read more »
Southernmost Giro-sprint ever
At over 200 kilometres, the 3rd stage of the Giro d'Italia runs entirely through the desert. The finish is in Eilat, which is the southernmost place the race ever visited in its long history. Odds are this one will be for the sprinters.Read more »
Perfect course for attackers
The Giro d'Italia's 4th stage is the first on Italian soil. The undulating course between Catania and Caltagirone is perfect for attackers.Read more »
Bold descenders and punchy finishers
At 153 kilometres, the 5th stage in the Giro d'Italia is relatively short. Flat opening and hilly in the second half of the race, while the penultimate kilometre goes up at more than 6%. Who are favourite to win this race?Read more »
More articles
Mount Etna for first GC clashSprint in Praia-on-Sea
Escapees or GC-contenders?
Strike on final haul up of some 50 kilometres
Perfect course for attackers
Attackers and punchers to honour Scarponi
Fast finishers at Imola-race track
Sprinters battle it out
King Zoncolan!
Breakaway boys with climbing legs
Tom Dumoulin versus Rohan Dennis
Sprint at Lake Iseo
Clash on long haul up to the line
Pure-bred climbers for Queen Stage victory
Last blast in the high mountains
Roman Games... bunch sprint!
Favourites