Giro 2025: Pedersen sprints into pink

foto: Cor VosThe Albanian Grande Partenza of the Giro kicks off with a hilly race that comes down to a sprint among the strong men. Mads Pedersen takes the spoils and dons the first maglia rosa. Wout van Aert falls just a few centimetres short. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage 2025 Giro

1. Mads Pedersen (den)
2. Wout van Aert (bel) s.t.
3. Orluis Aular (ven) s.t.
4. Francesco Busatto (ita) s.t.
5. Tom Pidcock (gbr) s.t.
6. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
7. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
8. Max Poole (gbr) s.t.
9. Nicola Conci (ita) s.t.
10. Davide Piganzoli (ita) s.t.

47. Derek Gee Can) + 0.57
58. Thymen Arensman (nld) + 1.35

GC after stage 1
1. Mads Pedersen (den)
2. Wout van Aert (bel) + 0.04
3. Orluis Aular (ven) + 0.06
4. Francesco Busatto (ita) + 0.10
5. Tom Pidcock (gbr) s.t.
6. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
7. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
8. Max Poole (gbr) s.t.
9. Nicola Conci (ita) s.t.
10. Davide Piganzoli (ita) s.t.

Race report
Taco van der Hoorn, Alessandro Verre and Manuele Tarozzi initiate the breakaway before Alessandro Tonelli and Sylvain Moniquet bridge across. The attackers open up a 2-minute lead, but that’s all they get.

Van der Hoorn loses contact on the first climb, as Moniquet powers to the KOM points at the top.

The breakaway is brought to heel early on – with 40 kilometres still on the clock. Moments later, Sam Bennett, Olav Kooij and Paul Magnier lose contact on the first climb of the Surrel.

Kaden Groves is dropped the second time up the Surrel. Thymen Arensman and Derek Gee are the only GC rider who can’t follow.

Jay Vine and Mikel Landa crash on the descent, with the latter hitting the deck so hard that he is forced to abandon. Meanwhile, unaware of the drama behind, the front of the race powers on towards the finish.

Mathias Vacek launches Mads Pedersen into the home straight, and the Dane opens up his sprint with 200 metres to go. He has just enough in the tank to hold on. Wout van Aert finishes fast, but runs out of road for the final jump.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2025 Giro d’Italia.