Of all the skills that define a Grand Tour champion, none is as iconic—or as decisive—as the ability to climb. Nowhere is this more true than in the Giro d’Italia, where steep, relentless ascents through the Alps and Dolomites have decided generations of champions. As the Giro d’Italia 2025 approaches, fans and riders alike turn their attention to the mountain stages, where the race for the pink jersey is often won—or lost. In this article, we explore the art of climbing and why it’s the beating heart of the Giro d’Italia standings.
Why Climbing Matters in the Giro d’Italia
While flat and transitional stages play their role, mountain stages are where the biggest time gaps occur. A single brutal ascent can cause minutes to separate rivals, shuffling the Giro d’Italia standings dramatically. Climbers who thrive at high gradients and high altitude often emerge as true GC contenders, while weaker climbers are left behind.
The Giro is famous for its vertical challenges. Riders must conquer legendary climbs like:
- Passo dello Stelvio – over 2,700 meters, with 48 hairpin turns
- Monte Zoncolan – with gradients exceeding 20%
- Mortirolo Pass – short, steep, and unrelenting
These ascents are not just obstacles; they are battlegrounds for the pink jersey and testing grounds for mental resilience.
The Physiological Demands of Climbing
Climbing requires a unique combination of aerobic endurance, low body weight, and mental tenacity. Here’s what separates a great climber:
- 🔬 Power-to-Weight Ratio (W/kg): This is the gold standard. The best climbers can sustain 6+ watts/kg for 20–30 minutes on steep climbs.
- 🫀 VO2 Max: Climbers often have VO2 max levels above 75 ml/kg/min, enabling efficient oxygen use in thin mountain air.
- 🧠 Mental Toughness: The ability to suffer is key. Climbers must push through physical limits on endless gradients.
Unlike sprinters, who rely on explosive power, climbers operate at the edge of their aerobic threshold for extended periods. That’s why climbing stages are usually the most selective in the Giro d’Italia standings.
Climbing Strategies: When and How to Attack
Climbing is not just about power—it’s about timing. Smart climbers use terrain, pacing, and team support to attack when rivals are most vulnerable. Key tactics include:
- Seated Tempo Climbing: Conserves energy while gradually wearing down opponents
- Acceleration Attacks: Sudden bursts on steep ramps to create time gaps
- Altitude Resistance: Riders from high-altitude nations often thrive in extreme elevations
In recent editions of the Giro, riders like Egan Bernal and Jai Hindley used well-timed attacks deep into the final climb to seize control of the race. The mountain stages in the third week are where the pink jersey often changes hands and defines the final Giro d’Italia standings.
Legendary Climbers and Their Defining Moments
Fausto Coppi (Italy)
Coppi’s legendary attack on the Stelvio in 1953 remains a cornerstone of Italian cycling history. His fluid style and strategic brilliance made him a climbing icon of the post-war era.
Marco Pantani (Italy)
Known as “Il Pirata,” Pantani was a fearless climber whose attacks on Alpe di Pampeago and Oropa electrified fans. His ability to soar away from the peloton made him a Giro legend—even amid controversy.
Chris Froome (UK)
Though not a traditional climber, Froome’s long-range solo attack on the Colle delle Finestre in 2018 stands as one of the most audacious and effective climbs in modern cycling. It flipped the Giro d’Italia standings on its head.
Key Mountain Stages in Giro d’Italia 2025
Though the full route is not finalized, early leaks suggest several decisive mountain stages in the 2025 edition:
- 🏔️ Stage 13: Summit finish on Monte Bondone – 20 km of climbing at over 7% gradient
- ⛰️ Stage 17: Double pass stage with Mortirolo and Stelvio
- 🚵 Stage 20: High-altitude showdown in the Dolomites – final GC shake-up
These stages are expected to produce significant time gaps. GC contenders will target these days to gain minutes on rivals or defend their lead in the Giro d’Italia standings.
The Role of Teams in Mountain Warfare
While climbing is personal, success in the Giro also depends on the team. Strong teams like INEOS or UAE Emirates position their leader, control tempo, and set up strategic attacks.
Domestiques (support riders) sacrifice their own chances to pace their leader up climbs and chase down attacks. Climbers like Sepp Kuss and Pavel Sivakov are often unsung heroes who deliver GC riders to the final kilometers of climbs, where the drama unfolds.
Weather and Altitude: Uncontrollable Variables
High mountains bring unpredictable weather. Snow, rain, and freezing temperatures can turn a tough stage into a survival race. In some years, entire climbs have been neutralized due to dangerous conditions.
Altitude also impacts oxygen delivery. Riders who train or live at high elevation often have a physiological advantage. This can be decisive on climbs like the Stelvio or Colle dell’Agnello, where the air gets thin and the effort multiplies.
Climbing and the Giro d’Italia Standings
The mountains are where GC contenders separate from the field. While time trials and sprints may produce seconds of difference, climbing stages can create time gaps of minutes. That’s why climbers often dominate the final Giro d’Italia standings.
For example:
- 🏆 In 2021, Egan Bernal took the lead after mountain stages and never gave it up
- 🏆 In 2020, Tao Geoghegan Hart claimed the jersey after multiple uphill battles
These results show that even if a rider is behind after week one, strong climbing can still win the Giro.
Final Thoughts: The Mountains Make the Giro
The Giro d’Italia is defined by its climbs. They are where legends are born, where hearts are broken, and where the pink jersey is earned, not inherited. For riders aiming to win the Giro d’Italia 2025, mastering the mountains isn’t optional—it’s essential.
So when the race hits the slopes of the Dolomites, and the Giro d’Italia standings are in flux, remember: it’s not just about watts and wheels. It’s about courage, calculation, and conquering gravity. That’s the art of climbing. And that’s the soul of the Giro.
