CYCLING: Giro d’Italia 2.UWT Stage 9 2025 (ITA)

Giro d’Italia 2.UWT Stage 9 2025 Preview: Gubbio – Siena (181 km)

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Start: Gubbio Finish: Siena Distance: 181 km Type: Hilly, with gravel sectors

Stage Preview

Stage 9 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia is highly anticipated as it features a significant nod to the famous Strade Bianche one-day race. This 181-kilometer stage from Gubbio to Siena includes approximately 30 kilometers of gravel roads spread across five distinct sectors. The finish in Siena is particularly iconic, taking place in the Piazza del Campo after a steep uphill drag through the narrow streets.

Key Features

• Gravel Sectors: The stage incorporates five sterrati (gravel) sectors, totaling around 30 km. These sectors will test the riders’ bike-handling skills and could lead to significant time gaps and crashes. The key gravel sectors are:
  • Pieve a Salti: 8 km of undulating gravel.
  • Serravalle: 9.3 km, starting with a short descent and continuing on the flat.
  • San Martino in Grania: 9.4 km, predominantly uphill with steep sections.
  • Monteaperti: A short but steep 0.6 km gravel section with double-digit gradients.
  • Colle Pinzuto: 2.4 km with punishing ramps reaching up to 15%.
• Hilly Terrain: Beyond the gravel, the stage features rolling hills and a few categorized climbs, including La Cima (Cat. 3, 4.2 km at 7.6%) early in the stage and Poggio del Castagnolo (Cat. 4, 3.6 km at 4.7%).
• Spectacular Finale: The final kilometers in Siena are challenging. The riders will face the steep Via Santa Caterina, a 500-meter climb averaging 12.4% with maximum gradients of 16%, just before the finish in the Piazza del Campo. This uphill finish on the historic square is identical to that of the Strade Bianche.

Potential Scenarios

This stage has the potential to be very influential on the general classification. The combination of gravel sectors and the challenging uphill finish favors riders with strong bike-handling skills, punchy climbing abilities, and resilience.

• GC Contenders: The main contenders for the overall victory will need to be attentive and well-positioned to avoid losing time on the gravel. Riders with experience in cyclocross or mountain biking may have an advantage.
• Stage Hunters: Many riders will target this stage for a prestigious win. Breakaways are likely to form early, and strong classics riders or all-rounders who can handle the gravel will be looking to get clear.
• Tactical Battles: Teams with multiple strong riders might try to use tactical moves on the gravel sectors to put their rivals under pressure.

Riders to Watch

Based on their past performances in Strade Bianche and their current form in the Giro, some riders who could be contenders for the stage win include:

• Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team): A former winner of Strade Bianche, known for his excellent bike handling and climbing abilities.
• Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike): Another former Strade Bianche winner, possessing strength on various terrains.
• Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates): An experienced off-road racer who could be a surprise contender.
• Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe): A strong GC contender with explosive power, well-suited to the uphill finish.
• Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates): Another talented GC rider who can perform well on challenging terrain.
• Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers): Showed strong form on gravel in the past and is a capable climber.
• Romain Bardet (Team Picnic PostNL): Known for aggressive racing and has performed well on gravel in the past.

Overall, Stage 9 promises to be an exciting and unpredictable day of racing that could significantly shake up the general classification and deliver a memorable stage victory in the heart of Siena.

Stage Overview:

The ninth stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia is set to be a challenging and potentially decisive day for the general classification contenders. Here’s a preview:

Route: The 181-kilometer stage starts in Gubbio and finishes in Siena. The route winds through the Tuscan countryside and features approximately 30 kilometers of gravel roads spread across five sectors, reminiscent of the famous Strade Bianche one-day race. The final kilometers enter Siena and include the steep Via Santa Caterina climb (with gradients up to 16%) just before the finish in the Piazza del Campo.

Profile: The stage is classified as hilly and features around 2,500 meters of elevation gain. While not featuring long, high-altitude climbs, the constant undulations and the challenging gravel sectors will make for a demanding day in the saddle. The short, steep climb to the finish in Siena will favor punchy riders with good bike-handling skills.

Key Points:

• Gravel Sectors: The five gravel sectors will be the defining feature of the stage. These unpaved roads are notorious for causing crashes and mechanical issues, and they will require riders to be attentive and skillful. Positioning within the peloton will be crucial leading into these sections.
• Strade Bianche Finale: The final kilometers in Siena are identical to those used in the Strade Bianche race. The combination of narrow streets, cobblestones, and the steep Via Santa Caterina climb will create a dramatic finale.
• GC Implications: This stage has the potential to create significant time gaps between the general classification contenders. Riders who are not comfortable on gravel or who suffer bad luck could lose valuable time. Conversely, strong classics riders who are also aiming for the GC could gain an advantage.

Contenders:

• Tom Pidcock: The winner of the 2023 Strade Bianche and runner-up in 2025, Pidcock is a clear favorite for this stage. His off-road skills and punchy climbing ability make him well-suited to the parcours.
• Wout van Aert: A former winner of Strade Bianche (2020), Van Aert has the power and bike-handling skills to excel on this terrain. However, his form after a recent illness remains to be seen.
• Egan Bernal: Having finished third in the 2021 Strade Bianche, Bernal has shown his capabilities on gravel. If his form continues to improve, he could be a contender.
• Other Potential Winners: Riders like Isaac del Toro, Primoz Roglic, Juan Ayuso, and Giulio Ciccone are also capable on this type of terrain and could be in the mix for the stage win.

Overall: Stage 9 promises to be an exciting and unpredictable day of racing. The combination of gravel sectors and a challenging finale in Siena will test the riders’ skills and could significantly shake up the general classification. Keep an eye on the classics specialists and the GC contenders who are comfortable on varied terrain.

S