As mentioned, the Dane isn't the only name mentioned.
Soudal - Quick-Step leader
Remco Evenepoel has noted unfinished business with the Giro having being forced to depart whilst in the Maglia Rosa in 2023 due to a positive Covid-19 test and crashing out of his Grand Tour debut in Italy back in 2021. That unfinished business doesn't look like being resolved in 2025 though as the Belgian continues to target the Tour de France.
That 2023 Giro d'Italia was eventually narrowly won by Primoz Roglic, finishing just 14 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas in the final general classification. Now, having moved from Jumbo-Visma to
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and added a record equalling 4th Vuelta a Espana title to his palmares, could the Slovenian be set to return to Italy? "Primoz Roglic could be at the starting line," states the Quotidiano di Puglia report hopefully.
Last but by no means least, the reigning Giro d'Italia champion is also discussed. Pogacar kicked off his 2024 of dominance in Italy at Strade Bianche earlier this year before moving onto the Giro, winning six stages and leading the GC by just short of ten minutes. Having since added a third Tour de France title, the Rainbow Jersey and most recently another Il Lombardia success on Italian roads, the
UAE Team Emirates leader isn't ruled out of a return.
"World champion and endless trophy holder Tadej Pogacar, fresh from winning his fourth consecutive Lombardia (only Fausto Coppi had managed it before him), who has managed to win two of the three major stage races on the calendar this year and also wore the iris a few weeks ago in Zurich, has not yet decided," notes the report. "After a record-breaking 2024 - he is the first cyclist in history to win two grand tours, the rainbow jersey and two monuments in the same season - it is also difficult to make predictions about the Slovenian's commitments next year. The possibility that he might decide to return to Italy, therefore, cannot be ruled out entirely."