Long Wait for the Colle delle Finestre

The stage will be a long build-up to the monster climb, the Colle delle Finestre, since before tackling the 2025 Cima Coppi, riders will face relatively straightforward climbs: Corio (4th cat.) and the Colle del Lys (2nd cat., 13.7 km at 4.7%). The breakaway riders will aim to gain as much time as possible in the first half of the stage, hoping to hold off the chasing favorites on the Finestre, where tactics and second thoughts will fade, replaced by an unmissable head-to-head battle for the Maglia Rosa.

Let’s get into the details of the Colle delle Finestre: the climb measures 18.5 km with an average gradient of 9.2%, which stays fairly steady throughout the ascent. These numbers alone hint at the brutal nature of the pass linking the Susa Valley and Val Chisone, but what really seals its reputation are the final 8 km on gravel, making the effort even more punishing. In 2025, the Finestre also holds the title of Cima Coppi, standing at 2,178 meters above sea level.

The Finestre will roast the legs of all the top contenders, but the stage won’t end there. After an 11 km descent, the final blow comes from the Sestrière, a relatively mild climb (3rd category, 16.2 km at 3.8%). But with everyone already exhausted, even gentle gradients could feel like walls. By the time the riders cross the finish line, we’ll know who has won the 2025 Giro d’Italia.