CYCLING: Giro d’Italia 2.UWT Stage 19 2025 (ITA)

Giro d’Italia 2025: Stage 19 Preview

Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia 2025 promises to be one of the most brutal and decisive days of the race, often being referred to as the “queen stage” due to its immense climbing challenge. It’s a day that could well shake up the General Classification (GC) and determine the eventual winner of the Pink Jersey.

Route Details:

• Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
• Start Location: Biella
• Finish Location: Champoluc
• Distance: 166 kilometers (approximately 103.1 miles)
• Altitude Gain: A staggering 4,950 meters (nearly 5,000m) – the most of any stage in this year’s Giro.
• Difficulty: Rated 5/5 stars.

The Course:

This stage is relentless, packed with climbs and descents with very few flat sections. The climbing begins almost immediately, setting the tone for the day.

1. Croce Serra (Category 3): The first ascent comes after just 4km, an 11.3km climb averaging 4.6%. It leads into the Dora Baltea Valley.
2. Col Tzecore (Category 1): After a short false flat, the riders will face the first of three major climbs. This one is 15.8km long with an average gradient of 7.7%, but features sections ramping up to a brutal 15%.
3. Col Saint-Pantaléon (Category 1): Following a descent and around 10km in the valley, the riders will immediately tackle another long climb, 16.5km at an average of 7.2%, with gradients peaking at 12%.
4. Col de Joux (Category 1): From the summit of Saint-Pantaléon, a 20km descent leads directly into the third major climb, which is 15.1km long at 6.9% average, with maximum gradients of 12%.
5. Antagnod (Category 2): After descending to Brusson, the final part of the stage begins, which is a constant uphill drag towards the finish. This section includes the steep pass through Antagnod (up to 11% gradients), which ends 5km from the line.

The Finish:

The last 5km of the stage feature a descent, initially gentle and then steeper, with a series of switchbacks leading into the final kilometer through Champoluc. The very last kilometer even includes cobblestones up to 400m from the line, followed by a steady rise to the finish. Champoluc is located in the main hub of the Monte Rosa ski area, offering a stunning backdrop to what promises to be a dramatic finish.

Potential Race Dynamics & Favorites:

This is a day tailor-made for the pure climbers and General Classification contenders. With so much climbing packed into a relatively short distance, there’s ample opportunity for significant time gaps to open up.

• GC Battle: Experts anticipate this stage will be a brutal test and likely decisive in the GC battle. Current Pink Jersey wearer, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), has shown impressive form but also some cracks on earlier mountain stages. This immense pressure will be his sternest test yet.
• Key Challengers: Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), a past Giro winner, is breathing down Del Toro’s neck and thrives in the third week of Grand Tours. Simon Yates (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) is also well-placed and could benefit from the long, steady climbs. Derek Gee has been consistently improving and remains an outsider for the podium.
• Stage Winners: While the GC battle is expected to dominate, a strong breakaway with pure climbers could potentially survive if the favorites mark each other too closely. Riders like Giulio Pellizzari, Einer Rubio, Romain Bardet, Lorenzo Fortunato, Christian Scaroni, Marco Frigo, Filippo Zana, Nairo Quintana, Georg Steinhauser, and Carlos Verona could all be in contention for a stage win from a breakaway or by attacking from the GC group if given the opportunity.

This stage has all the ingredients for a chaotic and action-packed day, where legs and mental fortitude will be pushed to their absolute limits. Expect the race to be in “absolute bits” by the time riders cross the finish line in Champoluc.

Giro d’Italia 2025: Stage 19 Overview

Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia 2025 is a true mountain epic, often dubbed the “Queen Stage” due to its immense climbing challenge and potential to reshape the General Classification.

Here’s an overview with details on mountain and sprint classifications:

Stage 19: Biella to Champoluc

• Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
• Distance: 166 kilometers (approx. 103.1 miles)
• Difficulty: 5/5 stars – Extremely Hard Mountain Stage
• Total Altitude Gain: 4,950 meters

Route Profile & Key Features:

This stage is relentless, with climbing starting almost immediately and featuring five categorized climbs, three of which are formidable Category 1 ascents. There are very few flat sections, making it a constant test of endurance.

1. Croce Serra (Category 3)
   • Location: Kilometer 15.1
   • Length: 11.3 km
   • Average Gradient: 4.6%
   • Mountain Points: 9, 4, 2, 1 for the first four riders over the summit.
2. Intermediate Sprint 1 (Pont-Saint-Martin)
   • Location: Kilometer 36.8
   • Points: 12, 8, 5, 3, 1 for the first five riders.
3. Col Tzecore (Category 1)
   • Location: Kilometer 67.0
   • Length: 16.0 km
   • Average Gradient: 7.7% (with sections up to 15%)
   • Mountain Points: 40, 18, 12, 9, 6, 4, 2, 1 for the first eight riders. This is a significant climb for the KOM jersey.
4. Intermediate Sprint 2 (Châtillon)
   • Location: Kilometer 87.3
   • Points: 12, 8, 5, 3, 1 for the first five riders.
5. Col Saint-Pantaléon (Category 1)
   • Location: Kilometer 109.3
   • Length: 16.5 km
   • Average Gradient: 7.2% (with sections up to 12%)
   • Mountain Points: 40, 18, 12, 9, 6, 4, 2, 1 for the first eight riders. Another high-value climb for the KOM classification.
6. Red Bull KM (Saint-Vincent)
   • Location: Kilometer 129.3
   • Bonus Seconds: 6”, 4”, 2” for the first three riders.
   • Points: 15, 8, 5, 3, 1 for the first five riders.
7. Col de Joux (Category 1)
   • Location: Kilometer 145.4
   • Length: 15.1 km
   • Average Gradient: 6.9% (with sections up to 12%)
   • Mountain Points: 40, 18, 12, 9, 6, 4, 2, 1 for the first eight riders. This is the last major Category 1 climb and will be crucial for the GC battle.
8. Antagnod (Category 2)
   • Location: Kilometer 161.0 (5km from the finish)
   • Length: 9.5 km
   • Average Gradient: 4.5% (with sections up to 11%)
   • Mountain Points: 18, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 for the first six riders. While shorter, its position so close to the finish after the previous climbs makes it highly impactful.

Finish (Champoluc):

• Points: 15, 12, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for the first ten riders to cross the finish line.
• Time Bonuses: 10”, 6”, 4” for the first three finishers.

Classification Implications:

• General Classification (Maglia Rosa): This stage is designed to create significant time gaps. With nearly 5,000 meters of climbing and relentless ascents, the strongest climbers will likely gain time. It’s a prime opportunity for GC contenders to attack or defend their positions. Given the current standings, riders like Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates will look to challenge Isaac Del Toro.
• Mountains Classification (Maglia Azzurra): Stage 19 offers a maximum haul of 147 mountain points, making it one of the most lucrative stages for the KOM competition. With three Category 1 climbs and a Category 2 near the end, there are ample opportunities for climbers, particularly those in breakaways or the GC group, to accumulate points. Lorenzo Fortunato currently leads the KOM classification, but Christian Scaroni is still in contention, and other strong climbers will certainly target points here.
• Points Classification (Maglia Ciclamino): As a mountain stage, fewer points are available for the sprinters at the finish. Only 39 points are up for grabs in total from the finish and the two intermediate sprints. The intermediate sprints, however, could still be contested by versatile riders or those aiming for early breakaway points. Mads Pedersen currently holds a strong lead in this classification.

In summary, Stage 19 is the ultimate climbing test of the 2025 Giro d’Italia, promising high drama and potential shifts in the overall standings and the mountain classification.

Summary of the 19th stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia

The 19th stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia, a brutal 166km mountain stage from Biella to Champoluc with five categorized climbs, saw Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) claim a magnificent maiden Grand Tour victory from the breakaway.

While the General Classification (GC) favorites initially held back, the final climb to Antagnod ignited some action. Race leader Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) showed impressive form, responding to an attack from Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost). Del Toro even managed to pip Carapaz for second place on the stage, gaining a crucial two bonus seconds and extending his lead in the overall standings.

Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) struggled on the final ascent, losing time to Del Toro and Carapaz but holding onto his third place in the GC. Meanwhile, Prodhomme, who had attacked from an earlier, large escape group, bravely held on to cross the line solo for his biggest career win.

The stage was characterized by its relentless climbing and the hot conditions. Early in the stage, a large breakaway formed, with riders like Antonio Tiberi, Carlos Verona, and others in the mix. Prodhomme launched his decisive solo attack on the penultimate climb, the Col de Joux, and maintained a strong lead over the dwindling GC group.

Going into the penultimate mountain stage, Isaac del Toro now holds a 43-second lead over Richard Carapaz, with Simon Yates at 1 minute and 21 seconds. The stage sets the scene for a thrilling final mountain showdown on Saturday, featuring the iconic Colle delle Finestre.

Distinctive jerseys after 19th stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia

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