The 2021 Giro d'Italia promises to be one filled with all the traditional tough climbs, mouth-watering scenery and racing action beloved of the Italian Grand Tour. There are two individual time trials bookending the race on the first and 21st stages, with stages for the sprinters, attacking riders and mountain goats!
Watch the action on SBS VICELAND with commentary every night with Matt Keenan, with Robbie McEwen, Bridie O'Donnell and David McKenzie joining for select stages. SBS On Demand will begin prior to the SBS VICELAND broadcast on some stages, and will feature the international feed commentary team, but will switch over to the SBS VICELAND team when they join the coverage.
Giro d'Italia Stage 1 - Turin to Turin - 8.6km - Individual Time Trial
Saturday May 8
21:50 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
The Giro gets underway with a short, fast time trial that follows the river Po around Turin. The 8.6-kilometre flat course, shouldn't offer too much in the way of difficulty or time gaps among the top contenders but it will give an opportunity for the sprinters and time triallists to battle it out in an intense start to this year's Giro!
Giro d'Italia 2021, Stage 1 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 2 - Stupinigi to Novara - 179km - Sprint stage
Sunday May 9
2120 - 0120 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:30 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The stage is a flat one, with just a few rolling hills in the middle section of the race. It should be a great opportunity for the sprinters like Australia's Caleb Ewan to fight it out with Peter Sagan, Dylan Groenewegen and Elia Viviani for the win in the streets of Novara.
Giro d'Italia 2021, Stage 2 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 3 - Biella to Canale - 190km - Hilly stage
Monday May 10
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:10 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
This is a half-flat, half-wavy stage. The roads are flat, wide and straight all the way to Asti. Starting in Canelli, the route becomes hillier and takes in three categorised climbs, with sharp gradients at points. Past Alba, there is a steep climb with double-digit gradients in Guarene, though it is still 15 kilometres from the summit to the slight downhill finish. One for the attackers to potentially try and outwit the sprinters.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 3 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 4 - Piacenza to Sestola - 187km - Mountains stage
Tuesday May 11
21:25 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(19:55 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The stage is clearly divided into two parts: flat and straight along the Via Emilia, all the way to Parma, punchy and technical afterwards. Past Parma, the route takes in a brace of ascents (including two categorised climbs), with gradients exceeding 10% at points, on relatively narrow roads. Past Montecreto and Fanano, the route takes in the Colle Passerino climb, which ends at 2km out.
This looks like acting as an early test for the general classification contenders but is also one for the stage-hunting attackers, who will relish the uneven terrain and narrow roads.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 4 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 5 - Modena to Cattolica - 177km - Sprint stage
Wednesday May 12
2100 - 0135 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
A pan-flat stage running almost entirely along the Via Emilia, on straight and mostly wide roads. As the stage passes through several urban areas, roundabouts, traffic islands and street furniture will be found along the route.
The route finishes near an exposed section of the coast and if the wind picks up there may be some decisive splits formed in the back half of the race.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 5 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 6 - Grotte di Frasassi to Ascoli Piceno - 160km - Mountains stage
Thursday May 13
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:25 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
Running almost entirely through the inland, across the Apennines, the stage is demanding in both course and profile. The route takes in several ascents, including two categorised climbs. The final climb is 15.7 km long, and while not too steep will be the first summit finish of the race.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 6 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 7 - Notaresco to Termoli - 181km - Sprint stage
Friday May 14
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:40 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
A hilly stage with a flat finale. After a short stretch in the hinterlands of the Appennines, the route follows the Adriatic coast up to Chieti. A brace of bends and undulations then leads back onto the coast, all the way to Termoli.
The second half of the stage is run almost entirely along the coast, so teams will have to keep their leaders safe from any potential wind splitting up the peloton.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 7 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 8 - Foggia to Guardia Sanframondi - 170km - Hilly stage
Saturday May 15
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:30 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
This stage sees the race transfer from the Adriatic coast to the central spine of Italy, crossing the Apennines. It features one single lengthy climb, and a steep, challenging kick up to the finish line.
At first, the route runs along fast and mainly straight roads all the way to Campobasso. The riders then reach the Matese Mountains to negotiate the Bocca della Selva climb (over 20 km in length), followed by a lengthy descent that ends 10 km before the finish. The route then rises all the way to the finish.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 8 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 9 - Castel di Sangro to Campo Felice - 158km - Mountain stage
Sunday May 16
21:15 - 01:20 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:05 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
This queen stage across the Apennines of Abruzzo takes in several ascents, including four categorised climbs. From the start until Celano, the route takes in a succession of long climbs on moderately wide roads, followed by sometimes technical descents. Past Ovindoli, the route enters the Piana delle Rocche and becomes somewhat easier, up to Rocca di Cambio. Here, the course makes for Campo Felice, the final 1600-metre section to the summit run along gravel roads.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 9 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 10 - L’Aquila to Foligno - 139km - Sprint stage
Monday May 17
21:30 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
A short, rolling stage with a pan-flat finale. The route first takes in climbs up to Sella di Corno and Forca di Arrone, and then tackles an ascent up to Valico della Somma. The route eventually levels out in the final part, running on broad and mostly straight roads. As the stage passes through several urban areas, roundabouts, traffic islands and street furniture will be found along the route.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 10 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 11 - Perugia to Montalcino - 162km - Hilly/gravel stage
Wednesday May 19
20:45 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
With nearly 2,500 m altitude gain, and four unpaved road sectors totalling 35 km over the final 70 km of the route, this shapes as a challenging and perhaps defining stage of the 2021 Giro d'Italia.
The first 90 km are raced on wide and sometimes rough roads. The first unpaved sector, which also includes a technical downhill stretch, begins in Torrenieri. The second dirt road sector, which also includes a level crossing, begins after Buonconvento and Bibbiano. The route passes over river Ombrone, and then the road starts to rise for approx. 6 km, with gradients nearing 16% midway up the climb.
The route weaves through a brace of bends across the forest, on dirt roads, and then comes back on tarmac to negotiate a categorised climb up to Passo del Lume Spento. After descending into Montalcino, the route heads towards Castelnuovo dell’Abate and takes in the two final dirt road sectors, one after the other. Past Tavernelle, the road rises markedly before the descent into Montalcino.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 11 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 12 - Siena to Bagno di Romagna - 212km - Hilly stage
Thursday May 20
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(19:15 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
A challenging stage across the Apennines. Starting in Siena and crossing the Chianti region all the way to Florence, the route passes through Ponte a Ema (the birthplace of cycling legend Gino Bartali), Florence and Sesto Fiorentino. Here, the riders will negotiate a succession of ascents: Monte Morello (with peaks exceeding 15%), Passo della Consuma (avg. 6% gradient), Passo della Calla (avg. 5% gradient) and Passo del Carnaio, featuring some challenging bits with gradients up to 14%, followed by a technical descent leading to the final 5 km.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 12 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 13 - Ravenna to Verona - 198km - Sprint stage
Friday May 21
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:15 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The Giro returns to the north of Italy with the flattest stage imaginable.
A pan-flat stage across the lowland around Ferrara, Polesine and Mantua, on straight and mostly wide roads. As the stage passes through several urban areas, roundabouts, traffic islands and street furniture will be found along the route.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 13 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 14 - Cittadella to Monte Zoncolan - 205km - Mountains stage
Saturday May 22
21:20 - 0135 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(19:20 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The Monte Zoncolan stage! This legendary climb has been the scene of many decisive stages in the history of the race and has greeted an Australian as the winner before - Michael Rogers in 2014.
This mountain stage is divided into two parts: it starts flat and continues on a slight incline for 130 km, all the way to Monte Rest. The route then weaves through a series of hairpins on a narrowed roadway, both on the way up and on the way down from the intial test of the stage.
After going back on broader roads in Priuso, the route passes Tolmezzo and Arta Terme, reaching the foot of the closing climb. The first 11 km ascend in hairpins with gradients around 7-8%, with the last three kilometres particularly demanding.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 14 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 15 - Grado to Gorizia - 147km - Sprint stage
Sunday May 23
21:20 - 01:20 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(21:05 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The race will journey into Slovenia from Italy with a cross-border circuit between the two countries of approx. 40 km. The route begins flat, all the way to Sagrado, and then clears the Monte San Michele climb.
Starting in Mossa, the circuit features three passes over the steep, 2 km long Gornje Cerovo climb, and a succession of tough climbs and descents. After the third lap, the route goes back to Italy through San Floriano del Collio, passes north of Gorizia and crosses the border again, passing through Nova Gorica.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 15 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 16 - Sacile to Cortina d’Ampezzo - 212km - Mountains stage
Monday May 24
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(18:40 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The queen stage across the Dolomites, with over 5,500 m vertical altitude gain and three summits above 2,000 metres above sea level.
Just after the start, the route takes a long climb up to La Crosetta and crosses the Pian del Cansiglio. After a technical and steep descent towards Lake Santa Croce, followed by a short climb along the slopes of the Nevegal, the course arrives in Belluno. The route then passes through Agordo up to Alleghe and Caprile, crossing the Val Cordevole upstream, and taking in the Passo Fedaia along the trunk road.
Past Malga Ciapela, the gradient hovers steadily above 12% for nearly 5 km, topping out at 18% at the 2 km mark. After dropping into Canazei, the route rises at a steady 6% gradient for 12 km along Passo Pordoi, the Cima Coppi, where a prize to the first rider over the top will be awarded. A fast-running descent through Arabba and up to Selva di Cadore leads to the foot of Passo Giau, where the road ascends at nearly 10% for 10 km. The route then drops towards Cortina, heading for the finish.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 16 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 17 - Canazei to Sega di Ala - 193km - Mountains stage
Wednesday May 26
20:30 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(19:50 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The Sega di Ala makes its debut in the Giro, but it looks like it could be an instant hit with fans!
The route travels the Val di Fassa, the Val di Fiemme and the Pinè plateau all the way to Trento, where it moves to the right bank of the Adige. The course passes through Mori, climbs up to Passo San Valentino, descends into Chizzola, and moves to the left bank of the Adige in Ala. Past Sdruzzinà, the riders will negotiate the closing climb, 11.5 kilometres at 9.8%.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 17 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 18 - Rovereto to Stradella - 231km - Sprint stage
Thursday May 27
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(19:25 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
The stage travels across the Po Plain, from north to south, on straight and mostly wide roads. As the stage passes through several urban areas, roundabouts, traffic islands and street furniture will be found along the route. A few undulations over the last 30 km will be the only impediments for the sprinters.
Giro d'Italia 2021, Stage 18 Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 19 - Abbiategrasso to Alpe di Mera - 176km - Mountains stage
Friday May 28
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:25 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
A mountain stage featuring a succession of climbs, with long, false-flat drags in between. The route travels the lowland around river Ticino, reaching the foot of the Mottarone, and kicking with sharp gradients (on a narrowed roadway) past Armeno. After a technical descent into Stresa, the route runs along Lake Orta, passes Gravellona Toce and Omegna, and clears the Passo della Colma. Past Varallo, the route continues along the valley floor up to the foot of the closing climb in Scopello.
The stage has been shortened due to a fatal cable car crash on one of the lead-up climbs, but will still finish atop the Alpe di Mera.
Giro d'Italia Stage 20 - Verbania to Alpe Motta - 164km - Mountains stage
Saturday May 29
21:20 - 01:35 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(20:10 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
A colossal Alpine stage, crossing over to Switzerland. After the start, the route passes the Swiss border to negotiate the never-ending San Bernardino Pass (24 km), clearing the summit above 2,000 metres. After the descent, the riders will rise again to over 2,000 metres, to negotiate the Splügen Pass. A technical descent (passing through a few tunnels and an avalanche gallery) will lead all the way to the foot of the closing climb in Campodolcino.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 20 Profile Source: RCS
Giro d'Italia Stage 21 - Senago to Milan ITT - 30.3km - Individual Time Trial
Sunday May 30
21:20 - 02:00 (AEST) LIVE on SBS VICELAND
(21:15 live stream starts via SBS On Demand)
This was the setting of the final decisive stage last year when Jai Hindley was overtaken by Tao Geoghegan Hart on the final day of competition.
The start of the final stage ITT is set in the centre of Senago. The stage is played out on wide and mostly straight roads, as far as Sesto San Giovanni. From here on, the course runs almost straight up to 2 km from the finish in Piazza Duomo. Tramway tracks, roundabouts and street furniture are found repeatedly along the route, a technical course for the time-triallists.
Giro d'Italia, Stage 21 Profile Source: RCS
