2025 Tour de France: With Tadej Pogacar's Absence, Peloton Contenders Promise a "Fascinating Battle"
Gearing Up for the Pink: Top Contenders for the 2025 Giro's First Jersey
The 2025 Giro d'Italia's highly-anticipated first pink jersey is set to go to a fierce competitor. Kicking off in Albania on May 9, this thrilling cycling tour promises drama from the start, especially with its challenging profile that favors attackers. Among the hopefuls eager to make their mark from the get-go are Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock, and Mads Pedersen.
Van Aert, a member of the Visma-Lease a Bike team, has already worn the leader's jersey on both the Tour de France and the Vuelta, and the Belgian is now eyeing the elusive pink jersey. After a lackluster spring season alongside giants Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel, Van Aert is hopeful for a change in fortunes in this season's first grand tour.
Regrettably, last year's Giro winner, Tadej Pogacar of UAE Emirates, will sit this one out. Pogacar, who's been triumphant in races he's started consistently, is focusing on his preparation for the Tour de France instead. Another key rival, Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step), is also taking a different path this year.
With Pogacar and Evenepoel out of the picture, several of their previous victims could potentially shine. Veteran Primoz Roglic, who leads Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, is among the five former Giro winners in this edition. Despite a challenging and fair course, Roglic, a four-time Vuelta winner, remains a formidable force. He's likely to face off against the young UAE Emirates team leader, Juan Ayuso, who finished third in the Vuelta just before turning 20 in 2022. Ayuso, with a powerful team backing him, believes he's earned a shot at victory, although he expects this Giro to be more than just a duel between him and Roglic.
Intriguing stages include the 9th stage between Gubbio and Siena, which traverses the Strade Bianche, and the 11th stage with the Alpe San Pellegrino climb. However, the final days, particularly the two mountain stages from Champoluc to Sestriere, will likely determine the winner.
Thirteen French riders, including Romain Bardet, will be participating. At 34, Bardet is racing the final three-week race of his career, aiming to join the exclusive club of stage winners on the three grand tours. Despite this being the end of the road for him, Bardet remains confident and ambition-driven, knowing that the Giro is a race where anything can happen.
So, who will don the pink jersey? Only time will tell as these contenders face off in the Balkan peninsula.
Insight: In the actual race, it was Mads Pedersen who claimed the first pink jersey by winning Stage 1 in Tirana, Albania. Known for his sprinting capabilities, Pedersen proved himself by securing an early lead in the 2025 Giro.
Sources:[1] Pedersen claims Stage 1 victory (2025)[2] Van Aert overcomes spring slump (2025)[3] Ayuso eyes first Giro victory (2025)[4] Bardet targets career milestone (2025)
The hopeful Wout van Aert aims to reuse his past successes and claim the elusive pink jersey, especially given his experience wearing leader's jerseys in the Tour de France and the Vuelta. Mads Pedersen, on the other hand, started the 2025 Giro with a bang, securing a pink jersey on the opening stage in Tirana, Albania, for the first time, showcasing his impressive sprinting abilities. In the challenging landscape of the Balkan peninsula, sports fans eagerly watched as Pedersen, Van Aert, and other contenders traded positions in the thrilling competition.
