Giro d'Italia change stage 1 route - 10% climb added to finale; Tadej Pogacar becomes favourite for first pink jersey

Stage 1 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia ends in Torino and it was already a day for the classics riders and climbers to be the favourites, but even more so now. A very difficult climb has been added to the finale of the opening day of the Corsa Rosa, with Tadej Pogacar likely becoming the overwhelming favourite to win the first stage.

The finale features the ascent to Colle Maddalena which is 6.1Km at 7.4% ending with 22 kilometers to go, but another obstacle has been added on the way into the city. A steep one where attacks are expected and GC differences are likely - with stage 2 featuring immediately a summit finish at Monte Oropa.

The added ascent is 1.5 kilometers long at almost 10%, the San Vito hilltop summits with only 3 kilometers to go and will certainly see winning moves as the way into the finish is almost exclusively downhill from there on.