The Giro d’Italia 2023 is set to begin on May 6 with a route that highlights Abruzzo and coastal cycling. The opening stages feature a dramatic 18.4 km individual time trial along the Costa dei Trabocchi, starting from Fosacesia Marina and finishing near Ortolana. The route favors athletes who can blend power with precision on a mostly bike-path network, a detail confirmed by the race organizers during the presentation at the Renzo Piano Auditorium in L’Aquila. Providence and planning meet here as the organizers aim to showcase Abruzzo’s landscapes while delivering a demanding kickoff for the grand tour.
The second stage promises a sprint-friendly profile, a design tailor-made for fast legs and clean lines of sprint trains. As the peloton heads inland, Abruzzo’s coastline gives way to rolling terrain and the anticipation of a mass finish. On the following day, the riders head south from the Abruzzo region, shifting the dynamics toward crosswinds and quick acceleration. The seventh stage is anticipated to crest at the Gran Sasso d’Italia, with Campo Imperatore presenting a high-altitude finale that tests climbers’ resolve and strategic timing.
Abruzzo will host a high-level event for the fourth consecutive year. The previous two dramatic finales saw Egan Bernal conquering Campo Felice in 2021 and Jay Hindley clinching the Giro d’Italia at Blockhaus in 2022, underscoring Abruzzo’s pivotal role in the race’s modern history and its alignment with memorable stage finishes. The teams’ presentation, scheduled a few days before the start, will take place in the city center of Pescara, with Piazza Salotto serving as the focal point for athletes, officials, and media to gather and share expectations.
Remarkably, this marks the second occasion that the Giro d’Italia has commenced in Abruzzo. In 2001 the time trial from Marina to Pescara unfolded at a blistering average speed, a record that remains unmatched in the annals of the event. In those early years, the region demonstrated its ability to host a grand start that blends competitive tension with regional pride and scenic spectacle. The ripple effect on local fans and the broader cycling ecosystem continues to be a meaningful narrative for the race’s identity.
The director of the Giro d’Italia, Mauro Vegni, has highlighted the strong special relationship between the pink race and Abruzzo, describing the region as a natural home for cycling. His comments reflect a long-standing synergy between the event and the area, where road culture, training routes, and passionate supporters combine to create a unique atmosphere for riders and spectators alike. Vegni noted that Abruzzo will offer three distinct phases within the Grande Partenza, aligning perfectly with the organic rhythm of a grand tour. The first time trial will traverse the Costa dei Trabocchi, the second stage is structured for sprinters, and the seventh stage, set against the grandeur of Gran Sasso, stands out as a centerpiece of the opening phase of the race. Source: Giro d’Italia organizers.