Racing

Giro d’Italia 2015: six key stages

No sooner had the 2015 Giro d’Italia route been announced than speculation began as to who would be on the start line for the opening stage team time trial to San Remo.

Tinkoff-Saxo boss Oleg Tinkov is among those keen for the WorldTour’s very best to tackle the season-opening Grand Tour, with his team’s leader – Alberto Contador – already set for the race.

Alberto Contador, pictured at the route presentation, has thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals (pic: Sirotti)

And Tinkov wants Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) to join El Pistolero on the start line – offering a cash incentive if the four compete in all three Grand Tours next season.

Whichever Grand Tour men take to the start line on Saturday May 9, however, a balanced route – with plenty of brutal climbs packed into the final week – awaits in Italy.

We have picked out six key stages which could determine the final location of the maglia rosa in May next year.

Read our picks over the following Giro d’Italia stages and share your own thoughts on the route and contenders over the following pages.