If you're not already aware, the 2021 Giro d'Italia is underway, marking the 104th anniversary of the infamous Italian Grand Tour Race.
This multi-stage race dates back to 1909, originally organized to increase the sales and exposure of the newspaper La Gazzetta Della Sport. Like many of the other Grand Tour races, the Giro d'Italia is a UCI World Tour race of extreme popularity and global participation.
As it’s so famously known for, the Giro d'Italia pink jersey is awarded to the leading rider with the lowest aggregate time. The color pink was introduced in the 1931 edition of the race by La Gazzetta Della Sport who’s newspapers by no coincidence were printed on pink paper. Since then, riders continually push to keep the pink jersey on as long as possible. Most notably, Eddy Merckx wore the jersey for 78 stages, more than any other rider in the history of the Giro d'Italia.
While the pink jersey is often the most attention-grabbing general classification, it’s not the only contest riders are battling for. The mountains classification is the second oldest jersey awarding classification at the Giro d'Italia, added in 1933. During the mountain stages of the race, points are given to the rider to reach the top of each significant climb. The number of points varies depending on the hill classification determined by the steepness and length of the climb. At the end of the Giro, the rider holding the most climbing points wins the classification. Other classifications include the young rider, team, minor, and defunct classifications which are awarded during the race for a variety of point contests. Only three riders have won the big prize or general classification five times in their career which includes Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, and Eddy Merckx.
This Year's Race:
As one of the longer and more unpredictable races on the circuit, this year’s fight for pink will take riders on a journey that covers a massive 3,450km, including 21 stages that cover most of the nation as well as some brief dips into Slovenia and Switzerland.
The event opens with an 8.6 km time trial around the city of Turin, followed by a chance for riders to show their skills over a few days of challenging climbing, before taking on the first uphill finish to Sestola on stage four. Climbing will undoubtedly be a game-changer in this year's race with stages six, eight, and nine all taking on more than 3,000 meters of altitude gain. The stand-out stage of this year's race will be the vicious Monte Zoncolan on stage 14, approached this time from the Sustrio side, a side that hasn't been used since 2003's race.
Last year's edition of the race proved just how unpredictable the Giro can be with the favorite Geriant Thomas crashing early to Jumbo-Visma leaving the race, to Tao Geoghegan Hart taking the victory as cold weather and the pandemic closed in. While it’s difficult to predict which teams and riders will break through to victory this year, keep an eye on strong climbers to pull ahead in demanding stages of the almost month-long race. As it often does, the final summit stages will determine who is left behind approaching the finish line.
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Giro d'Italia 2021 live TV guide
The following breakdown outlines the Live TV coverage of the 2021 Giro d'Italia from Eurosport, GCN+ and S4C. All coverage times and channels are open to change.
Stage 1: Saturday 8th May
1230-1700 Stage 1 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass.
1400-1630 Stage 1 live coverage, S4C
Stage 2: Sunday 9th May
1100-1645 Stage 2 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 2 live coverage, S4C
Stage 3: Monday 10th May
1100-1645 Stage 3 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 3 live coverage, S4C
Stage 4: Tuesday 11th May
1030-1700 Stage 4 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 4 live coverage, S4C
Stage 5: Wednesday 12th May
1145-1700 Stage 5 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 5 live coverage, S4C
Stage 6: Thursday 13th May
1400-1630 Stage 6 live coverage, S4C
Stage 7: Friday 14th May
1400-1630 Stage 7 live coverage, S4C
Stage 8: Saturday 15th May
1400-1630 Stage 8 live coverage, S4C
Stage 9: Sunday 16th May
1045-1645 Stage 9 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1615 Stage 9 live coverage, S4C
Stage 10: Monday 17th May
1200-1700 Stage 10 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 10 live coverage, S4C
Rest day: Tuesday 18th May
Stage 11: Wednesday 19th May
1130-1700 Stage 11 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 11 live coverage, S4C
Stage 12: Thursday 20th May
1000-1700 Stage 12 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 12 live coverage, S4C
Stage 13: Friday 21st May
1100-1700 Stage 13 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 13 live coverage, S4C
Stage 14: Saturday 22nd May
1000-1700 Stage 14 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 14 live coverage, S4C
Stage 15: Sunday 23rd May
1145-1645 Stage 15 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1615 Stage 15 live coverage, S4C
Stage 16: Monday 24th May
0930-1700 Stage 16 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 16 live coverage, S4C
Rest day: Tuesday 25th May
Stage 17: Wednesday 26th May
1030-1700 Stage 17 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 17 live coverage, S4C
Stage 18: Thursday 27th May
1000-1700 Staage 18 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 18 live coverage, S4C
Stage 19: Friday 28th May
1045-1700 Stage 19 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 19 live coverage, S4C
Stage 20: Saturday 29th May
1100-1700 Stage 20 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1630 Stage 20 live coverage, S4C
Stage 21: Sunday 30th May
1200-1730 Stage 21 live coverage, Eurosport and GCN Race Pass
1400-1700 Stage 21 live coverage, S4C
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