When the Giro d'Italia starts in Albania on Friday, there won't be one standout favourite as there was in 2024 with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), as the Slovenian is skipping the Italian Grand Tour. Instead, the favourites list is topped by two riders at opposite ends of their careers, with a whole host of other contenders between them.
All the riders have been in Albania all week, some talking up their chances, and others talking them down, as the mind games and tactics begin before a pedal stroke has even been taken.
