Giro d'Italia

The 109th edition of the Corsa Rosa takes in 50 classified climbs, 49 000 vertical meters and seven summit finishes, including the Blockhaus, Cari, and Piancavallo. The sprinters will also get their opportunities, two of which are set to come on the first and the last weekend of the race, while the time trial specialists will have their chance on the tenth stage, when a flat 42km ITT promises to bring some big changes to the general classification.

Soudal Quick-Step, who will sport a special vintage cream kit commemorating 150 years of Castelli, travelled to Bulgaria this week with a team capable of fighting on all terrains, an eight-man squad motivated to continue the Wolfpack’s tradition of racking up stage victories at the Corsa Rosa. One of the best sprinters in the world, Paul Magnier is set to start his second Grand Tour, motivated to show his speed in the bunch sprints, while Filippo Zana - winner of the Giro di Sardegna this season - hopes to be a protagonist on the climbs and confirm the strong first months he’s had in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey.

Following a rock-solid Classics campaign, which culminated with a third place in Paris-Roubaix, Jasper Stuyven will join the team in Nessebar for his 13th Grand Tour start. Rounding out our roster for the Giro d’Italia will be Ayco Bastiaens, Gianmarco Garofoli, Grand Tour debutant Andrea Raccagni, Fabio Van den Bossche, and Dries Van Gestel.