CYCLING: Giro d’Italia 2.UWT Stage 11 2025 (ITA)

Stage Preview

Stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia 2025 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025. It’s a challenging 185-186 kilometer journey from Viareggio to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, with a total of around 3,685 to 3,850 meters of climbing.

Here’s a preview of what to expect:

Route Profile:

• Start: Viareggio, on the coast.
• Early Challenge: The stage quickly heads inland into the northern Apennines and features a brutal early ascent of the Alpe San Pellegrino. This climb is significant, covering approximately 13.7-14.2 kilometers with an average gradient of 8.6-8.8% and sections reaching up to 12% or even 19%. It’s one of the hardest climbs in the race and returns to the Giro after 25 years.
• Mid-Stage: After San Pellegrino, the route includes several rolling climbs, such as Toano (around 11 km at 4.9-5.9%). These allow for tactical racing.
• Climactic Finish: The conclusion of the day features an ascent of Pietra di Bismantova, a famous symbol of the destination city. This climb is about 5.8 kilometers long with an average gradient of 5.8%, but includes steep ramps.
• Final Kilometers: The final kilometer averages about a 4% gradient, with the finish line coming right after a left-hand bend, which could be crucial for positioning. Most of the final 6 kilometers are technical and downhill before the uphill ramp to the finish.

Key Aspects & Predictions:

• Breakaway Opportunity: Given the demanding profile, especially after a rest day and an individual time trial on Stage 10, this stage is highly anticipated to be a day for a breakaway. Many riders who have lost time on GC or are targeting stage wins will see this as an ideal opportunity.
• GC Implications: While a breakaway is likely to succeed, the tough climbs, particularly San Pellegrino and Pietra di Bismantova, could still create gaps among the general classification (GC) contenders. Riders having a bad day could lose significant time. The final climb to Pietra di Bismantova is considered a “hidden” uphill finish.
• Tactical Racing: The rolling terrain and varied climbs make it a tactical test. Teams will need to decide whether to control the race for a GC contender or allow a strong breakaway to go.
• Weather: There’s some uncertainty regarding the weather, with forecasts calling for potential rain, which could make the stage even more treacherous.

Who to Watch (based on common predictions):

• Breakaway Candidates: Riders who are strong climbers but are not high on GC, like Tom Pidcock (if given the freedom), Wilco Kelderman, Mathias Vacek, Pello Bilbao, Max Poole, Wout Poels, Marco Frigo, Einer Rubio, Lorenzo Fortunato, and others from teams looking for a stage win.
• GC Battle: While a breakaway is favored, keep an eye on the GC favorites like Primoz Roglic, Isaac del Toro, Juan Ayuso, and Simon Yates. They will be tested on the climbs, and any weakness could be exploited.

In essence, Stage 11 is a hilly and challenging day that promises exciting racing, likely favoring a strong breakaway, but with the potential for GC riders to test each other.

Stage 11 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

It will be a challenging day for the riders, categorized as a medium mountain stage with significant climbing.

Route Details:

• Start Location: Viareggio
• Finish Location: Castelnovo ne’ Monti
• Distance: 186 kilometers (approximately 115 miles)
• Total Vertical Gain: Approximately 3,850 meters (12,631 feet)

Route Profile and Key Climbs: The stage is clearly divided into two parts. The first section, up to Castelnuovo Garfagnana, is a steady, gentle ascent with no major categorised climbs. However, the second half is packed with tough climbs and long descents on winding mountain roads.

The most significant climb of the day is the Alpe San Pellegrino, a brutal ascent of nearly 14 kilometers with an average gradient of 8.6%, including sections at 12%. This formidable climb will likely be a major point of selection in the race.

Following the Alpe San Pellegrino, the riders will tackle the Toano climb (11.1 km at 5.9%) and then the Pietra di Bismantova (5.8 km at 5.8%), which is near the finish.

Finish: The final kilometers will be tricky, with an uphill ramp for a few hundred meters, followed by a short descent into the town center with some challenging curves. The last kilometer is entirely uphill, with a 100-meter finishing straight on wide asphalt.

Race Dynamics and Potential Outcome: Given the demanding climbs, especially the Alpe San Pellegrino, this stage is expected to be a tough test for the peloton. While the final kilometer’s average gradient is around 4%, the accumulation of climbs throughout the day will likely lead to a reduced group at the finish.

This stage is highly anticipated as a likely day for a breakaway win. Puncheurs and strong climbers who are not immediate general classification (GC) threats will be looking to make their move. However, the challenging nature of the stage means that GC contenders will need to be attentive, and there could be small time gaps created among them on the final climbs.

Summary of the 11th stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia

Stage 11 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia, a challenging semi-mountain stage from Viareggio to Castelnovo ne’ Monti (186 km), was won by Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) with a late, decisive attack.

The stage featured significant climbs, including the Category 1 Alpe San Pellegrino and the final ascent to the Pietra di Bismantova (Category 2), just 5 km from the finish.

A large breakaway formed early in the stage, with riders like Lorenzo Fortunato (who extended his lead in the mountains classification), Wout Poels, Wilco Kelderman, Steven Kruijswijk, Pello Bilbao, Luke Plapp, Georg Steinhauser, Mathias Vacek, Nairo Quintana, Filippo Zana, and Marco Frigo among others. This group built a maximum lead of just under 3 minutes.

As the race approached the final climb of Pietra di Bismantova, the peloton, driven hard by teams like Lidl-Trek (for Giulio Ciccone) and UAE Team Emirates, began to reel in the breakaway. With about 9 km to go, the remaining breakaway riders were almost caught.

It was on this final climb that Richard Carapaz launched a powerful solo attack from the peloton, quickly establishing a lead. Despite a brief surge from pink jersey holder Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) in pursuit, Carapaz held on, showing strong form.

Carapaz crossed the finish line 10 seconds ahead of the chasing group. Isaac del Toro convincingly won the sprint for second place, earning 6 bonus seconds, further extending his lead in the General Classification. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) finished third, just behind Del Toro.

Isaac del Toro retained the Maglia Rosa, extending his overall lead to 31 seconds over teammate Juan Ayuso. Richard Carapaz’s stage win propelled him up to sixth place in the General Classification, now 1:56 behind Del Toro, re-establishing himself as a significant contender for the overall title.

Distinctive jerseys after 11th stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia