Giro 2019 Route stage 1: Bologna

Giro 2019 Route stage 1: Bologna - San Luca

Saturday, 11 May 2019 - The 1st stage of the Giro d'Italia is a hilly individual time trial. At 8.2 kilometres, the route runs from Bologna to an uphill finish in nearby San Luca. The finale is a 2 kilometres climb with an average slope of 11% and ramps up to 18%.

The riders roll down the start ramp in Bologna’s centre. The riders move through the town before tackling the Colle della Guardia. The 2 kilometres hill is averaging 11%, while its steepest ramps are 18%. The finish is near the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca, a basilica church that is overlooking the historical centre of the city.

The Colle della Guardia is often included in the finale of the Giro dell’Emilia. Recent winners of the race are Giovanni Visconti (2017) and Esteban Chaves (2016). The Giro dell’Emilia is a well-known preparation race for the Tour of Lombardy.

Bologna previously hosted the Grande Partenza in 1994, an edition that was ultimately won by Jevgeni Berzin ahead of Marco Pantani. Yet, Endrio Leoni won the morning road stage in Bologna on the first day of action before Armand De Las Cuevas went on to power to victory in the afternoon ITT.