Cycling fans, the first Grand Tour of the season is upon us! The Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) kicks off May 9^th in Albania, where the peloton will spend three days before moving across the Adriatic Sea to Puglia.

From there, riders will head north, crisscrossing the Boot four times before dipping in to Slovenia on Stage 14. Then they turn west, skipping all the way across the northern borders with Austria, Switzerland, and France. Lots of climbing, to be sure, with key stages playing out in the Apennine Mountains and the Alps.

Immediately after Stage 20 in Valle d’Aosta, everyone rushes to Rome for the final day of racing. Phew! (View the entire route map here.)

Albania, You Said???

Yep, it’s not unusual. The Tour de France has commenced in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, the UK, and Denmark. I suppose it’s a way to broaden the sport’s appeal and encourage fans to support their local cyclists. (Although, according to the start list, there are no Albanian riders in the peloton this year.)

Stages 1 and 3 are classified as hilly, with a few moderate climbs. Stage 2 is an individual time trial. Hard to predict a leader this soon, especially as the road stages suit a number of riders. The time trial is important as well, with riders aspiring to a high GC placement will need to be competent, holding their own against the specialists.

I’m looking forward to it!

Top Contenders

After watching the season’s early races, I’m really impressed with Primoz Roglic from Slovenia. I know, he’s already a household name after winning five grand tours: the Vuelta a España a record four times, the Giro d’Italia once.

But when I saw him race the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya last month, he looked different. He looked calm, serene, dare I say relaxed? Even in interviews he smiled and joked with reporters. That’s a Primoz I didn’t recognize at first.

And when he made his move in the final climb of Montjuic in Barcelona, no one could keep pace with him. He’s fit, he’s relaxed, and he’s focused. Don’t count him out.

UAE Team Emirates presents a dual threat with Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates, who will keep Primoz on his toes throughout the three weeks. No Tadej Pogacar this time, as he has been busy winning (or placing on the podium) on the hideously difficult Monument Races this spring, including a breathtaking victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège!

Wine Suggestions

I’m pretty much at a loss here. I’ve never seen an Albanian wine on a retailer’s shelf, let alone tasted one. But I’m curious to learn more. According to The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson, Albania’s wine industry may be poised for its moment in the sun.

A long history of wine production preceded Ottoman rule but struggled under decades of communism and mass production (as happened to nearly all its neighbors.) But a new regime has taken the reins, led by a young generation eager to revive farms and vineyards once tended by their grandparents.

Given that it lies southeast of Slovenia and Croatia, with similar climate and terrain, it’s exciting to imagine the wines to come. And then there are those indigenous grape varieties:

• Shesh i Bardhe, Pules, and Debine (white grapes)
• Shesh i Zi, Kallmet, Vlosh, and Serina (red grapes)

All of these are new to me, but I’d sure like to try them! If you’re familiar with Albanian wine, please drop a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Enjoy the Grande Partenza – I’ll be back with wine-pairing suggestions and updates on the race!