To see 42-year old Alejandro Valverde climb into the first pink jersey in his career, that would be something. And why not? His characreristics and the characteristics of the stage are much allined. For kilometres the route is flat and then the relatively short climb up to the Visegrád Citadel kicks in. Chances are the race will come down to a sprint of a select group.
The likes of Van der Poel, Girmay and Ulissi will also dream pink in the run-up to the 1st stage of the Italian Grand Tour.
Favourites 1st stage 2022 Giro d’Italia
*** Alejandro Valverde, Mathieu van der Poel, Biniam Girmay
** Magnus Cort, Diego Ulissi, João Almeida, Attila Valter
* Caleb Ewan, Pello Bilbao, Davide Formolo, Davide Ballerini
Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2022 Giro.
Related articles Van der Poel leader points competition - Giro 20 The Route - Giro 20 Favourites - Giro 20 Withdrawals - Giro 20 Riders - Giro 20 GC Favourites - Giro 20 More articles Tour de Suisse 2025: Breakaway Grégoire claims first leader’s jersey
Critérium du Dauphiné 2025: Martinez triumphs from breakaway, Pogacar seals GC
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 2: Aarau – Schwarzsee
Critérium du Dauphiné 2025 Route stage 8: Val-d'Arc - Plateau du Mont-Cenis
Tour de Suisse 2025: Riders
Tour de Suisse 2025: GC Favourites
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 3: Aarau - Heiden
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 4: Heiden - Piuro
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 5: La Punt - Santa Maria
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 6: Chur - Neuhausen am Rheinfall
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 8: Beckenried - Stockhütte
Tour de Suisse 2025 Route stage 7: Neuhausen am Rheinfall - Emmetten
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025: Riders
Tour de France 2025: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 4: Amiens - Rouen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 5: Caen - Caen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 6: Baveux - Vire Romandie
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 7: Saint-Malo - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Laval
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 9: Chinon - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 10: Ennezat - Le Mont-Dore
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 11: Toulouse - Toulouse
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 12: Auch - Hautacam
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 13: Loudenvielle - Peyragudes
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 15: Muret - Carcassonne