Giro 2025 Favourites stage 15: Attackers in the high mountains

foto: Cor VosAfter a nearly flat start, the riders face two major climbs in the second half of the 219-kilometre race: Monte Grappa and the climb to Dori, before the race ends with a rolling 28.5-kilometre section. It’s a day for strong climbers with a solid finishing kick. (Slideshow route/profile)

The route to Asiago is almost identical to that of 2017. The difference is that, back then, the riders climbed to Foza before the finale, whereas this time they’ll head to Dori. That race also ended with a rolling section.

Given that final phase, you’d think there’s little to be gained for the GC contenders. However, eight years ago, the men with pink dreams thought otherwise. Nairo Quintana, Vincenzo Nibali, and Thibaut Pinot teamed up to put Tom Dumoulin under heavy pressure. The Dutchman kept the damage to a minimum and took the overall win the following day.

The key difference with now is that, back then, it was the last chance for GC riders to gain time on time trialist Dumoulin, as the Giro concluded the next day with an ITT. Another difference is that the section after the final climb was about half the length of what it is now — 14.8 kilometres versus 28.5 kilometres.

In short: there’s a good chance the winner will come from the breakaway. It’s a tough race, with over 3,800 metres of climbing in 219 kilometres, but because the climbs are far from the finish, it’s unlikely the GC favourites will tap into their energy with little to gain. After all, with nearly 30 kilometres left after the final climb, the chasers still have plenty of time to limit their losses.

A sprint from a group of attacking climbers is the most likely outcome in Asiago.

Favourites 15th stage 2025 Giro d’Italia

*** Wout Poels, Filippo Zana, Wilco Kelderman, Romain Bardet
** Jay Vine, Pello Bilbao, Luke Plapp, Davide Piganzoli
* David Gaudu, Marco Frigo, Georg Steinhauser, Paul Double

Another interesting read: route 15th stage 2025 Giro.