Giro d'Italia Launch

Cycling road race held in Italy

Sports

Overview

What happened

The Giro d'Italia, also known simply as the Giro, is an annual multiple-stage road cycling race primarily held in Italy.

Date

May 13, 1909

Location

Milan, Italy's iconic city, hosted the starting point.

Key people

Armando Cougnet organized, and Luigi Ganna won the first edition.

Why it matters

This article provides a detailed account of the first Giro d'Italia, including its history and significance. The article examines the event's impact on the development of modern cycling, with specific references to the introduction of multi-stage racing and the use of new technologies, such as derailleur gears. The article also explores the role of Armando Cougnet and La Gazzetta dello Sport in establishing the Giro d'Italia, and it analyzes the event's commercialization, including sponsorships by Bianchi and Legnano. By providing a comprehensive and engaging account of the Giro d'Italia, this article offers readers a deeper understanding of the event's historical context and its ongoing cultural significance, as recognized by institutions such as the Italian cycling federation and the Union Cycliste Internationale.

What was Giro d'Italia Launch?

The Giro d'Italia (pronounced [ˈdʒiːro diˈtaːlja]; lit. 'Tour of Italy'), also known simply as the Giro, is an annual multiple-stage road cycling race primarily held in Italy. The first race was organized in 1909 to increase sales of the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, and the race is still run by a subsidiary of that paper's owner. The race has been held annually since its first edition in 1909, except during the two world wars. As the Giro gained prominence and popularity, the race was lengthened, and the peloton expanded from primarily Italian participation to riders from all over the world.

Jacques Anquetil (left) and Felice Gimondi (right, wearing the Maglia Rosa) at the 1967 Giro d'Italia

Background and consequences

The Giro is a UCI World Tour event, which means that the teams that compete in the race are mostly UCI WorldTeams, with some additional teams invited as 'wild cards'. The Giro is one of professional cycling's three-week-long Grand Tours, and after the Tour de France is the second most important stage race in the world (the Triple Crown of Cycling denotes the achievement of winning the Giro, the Tour and the UCI Road World Championships in the same season). The Giro is usually held during May, sometimes continuing into early June. While the route changes each year, the format of the race stays the same, with at least two time trials, and a passage through the mountains of the Alps, including the Dolomites.

Why it matters

Like the other Grand Tours, the modern editions of the Giro d'Italia normally consist of 21 stages over a 23- or 24-day period that includes two or three rest days. The rider with the lowest aggregate time is the leader of the general classification and wears the pink jersey. While the general classification gathers the most attention, stage wins are prestigious of themselves, and there are other contests held within the Giro: the points classification, the mountains classification for the climbers, young rider classification for the riders under the age of 25, and the team classification.

Related on thisDay

Giro d'Italia Launch — May 13, 1909

113 cyclists embarked on the inaugural Giro d'Italia in Milan, Italy, on May 13, 1909, and finished the race, which is now a complete clause

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: Giro d'Italia Launch — May 13, 1909 Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“Giro d'Italia Launch.” thisDay, thisday.info/history/giro-d-italia-launch/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

APA

Giro d'Italia Launch. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/history/giro-d-italia-launch/

Chicago

“Giro d'Italia Launch.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/history/giro-d-italia-launch/.

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