A Brief History of the Giro

The Giro d'Italia was first held in 1909 and has since developed into one of the most prestigious Grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España . From the beginning, the Giro has been a stage for epic battles - whether in the high mountains, on fast sprint stages or through the changeable Italian weather.

The Maglia Rosa – the legendary pink jersey – is the ultimate goal for every professional. It symbolizes the overall leader and has been worn by legends such as Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx and Marco Pantani.

Why the Giro is so special

In contrast to the Tour de France, the Giro is often more unpredictable. The route always surprises with tough mountain stages, narrow roads through historic towns and time trials that can turn the rankings upside down. And then there is the passion of the Italian fans - they live and breathe this race.

For you as a spectator or perhaps even a participant in an amateur event, the Giro is an opportunity to experience the limits of the sport. The route leads through impressive landscapes: from the Dolomites to Tuscany and the spectacular climbs such as the Passo dello Stelvio or the Mortirolo .

What is the route of the Giro?

Every year a new route is chosen, classics such as the Zoncolan or new surprises could be on the agenda. There is often a key tactic: is the early attack in the mountains worth it, or will an explosive sprint decide the race?

The organizers attach great importance to creating varied stages that cover different regions of Italy. The challenges alternate: spectacular mountain stages in the Alps and Dolomites, fast flat stages for sprinters and technically demanding time trials.

The route is usually officially presented in the autumn of the previous year.

The Giro as inspiration for your own training

The mental aspects of the Giro d'Italia can inspire you. Professionals have to be strong not only physically but also mentally to keep going stage after stage. You can integrate this into your training by working on your stress tolerance: consciously ride longer distances or more intense intervals than you are used to. Learn to deal with fatigue and mental challenges, because that is exactly what makes the difference - not only in road bike training, but also in your next big goal. The mind always rides along! 🚴‍♂️💪

You can also take a lot from the Giro for your own road bike training :

• Mountain stage challenge: Use the Giro as motivation to work on your climbing skills. Find steep climbs near you and take on the challenge.
• Interval training : You can incorporate the explosive sprints of the pros into your training to improve your sprinting ability.
• Long distance: The Giro shows how important endurance is. Long rides help you prepare mentally and physically for big challenges.

Giro d'Italia training plan

A training plan for a Giro d'Italia-inspired tour on holiday should improve your endurance, climbing ability and recovery. Here is a 12-week plan for ambitious amateur athletes:

Weeks 1–4: Basic construction

1. Goals: Build basic endurance and improve technique.
2. training sessions:
   • Endurance rides 3 times a week: 2–4 hours in the GA1 range (heart rate: 60–75% of maximum HR).
   • 1x per week interval training:
     • 5 x 3 minutes K3 load (hill training: consistent, hard intensity) with 3 minutes recovery in between.
   • 1x per week long distance: 4-5 hours, focus on constant pace.
3. Tip: Start with moderate climbs to get used to climbing.

Weeks 5–8: Intensification

1. Goals: Increase resilience and climbing skills.
2. training sessions:
   • 3x per week mountain trips:
     • Varying inclines (3–8%) for 1–3 minutes, followed by 2 minutes recovery.
   • Time trial once a week: 30–40 minutes at 85–90% of your maximum heart rate to work on your rhythm.
   • 1x per week long distance with elevation gain: Plan tours with at least 1,500 meters of elevation gain.
3. Addition: Core training for trunk stability (2x/week).

Weeks 9–11: Simulation

1. Goals: Simulate racing experience, increase workload.
2. training sessions:
   • 2x per week interval training: several short, hard climbs alternating with recovery phases.
   • 1x per week long mountain stage: Simulate a Giro stage with at least 100 km and 2,000 meters of altitude.
   • 1x Recovery Ride: Max. 90 minutes at very light intensity.
3. Tip: Train under similar conditions as on vacation (e.g. temperature, altitude).

Week 12: Tapering

1. Goals: Get fresh legs for the tour.
2. training sessions:
   • 2-3 easy rides (max. 90 minutes, flat) with short, intense sprints.
   • No more long training sessions – focus on recovery and nutrition.

Additional tips for your Giro holiday

• Altitude acclimatization: Plan 2-3 quiet days on site to get used to the high altitude air.
• Nutrition: During the tour, consume about 60-90 g of carbohydrates per hour. Test gels, bars and drinks beforehand.
• Regeneration: Use breaks for active relaxation, stretching and sufficient sleep.

Conclusion

The Giro d'Italia is a celebration of cycling and a symbol of the beauty and toughness of the sport. It motivates, inspires and shows what man and machine are capable of. As you watch the next stage, imagine yourself riding these legendary roads yourself - and maybe you'll already be planning your next tour of Italy.

Because one thing is clear: The Giro is not just a race, it is a way of life. 💪🚴‍♂️