{"id":11273,"title":"Skiver's guide to the Giro","description":"The key stages to watch","content":"<p><strong>Published in<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/cobbles-and-classics-stories\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>COBBLES &amp; CLASSICS<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Let's face it, the Giro d'Italia is the most beautiful of the three Grand Tours. Stunning scenery from start to finish, and generally more chaotic and unexpected racing than the Tour de France.<\/p><p>This year, however, many of the key stages fall mid-week. We've put together a list of the must-see stages that are likely to decide the overall victor. Individual stage profiles are included for the key stages.<\/p><p>You'll want to know when to skive off work or avoid domestic duties.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/uemrltunlhklhsuikqvqotvwptpr7tkywfd1tgv6zw1yk0sr.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75957492\" \/><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align:center;\">TV coverage<\/h3><p>In the UK GCN\/Eurosport is covering all stages. At least one stage goes on air at 09:30 so there's a lot of Giro to watch. Plus the odd one-day race here and there, you may need to be selective in your viewing.<\/p><p>TV coverage starts on Thursday, 6 May with the team presentation at 17:00 BST. Saturday's ITT is on TV from 12:30.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align:center;\">Must-see stages<\/h3><ul><li><p>Thursday, 13 May - Stage 6 - mountain top finish<\/p><\/li><li><p>Sunday, 16 May - Stage 9 - mountains and gravel finish<\/p><\/li><li><p>Wednesday, 19 May - Strade Bianchi<\/p><\/li><li><p>Thursday, 20 May - more mountains<\/p><\/li><li><p>Saturday, 22 May - 'easy' side of Monte Zoncolan<\/p><\/li><li><p>Monday, 24 May - Queen stage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Wednesday, 26 May - mountain top finish<\/p><\/li><li><p>Friday, 28 May - mountain top finish<\/p><\/li><li><p>Saturday, 29 May - mountain top finish<\/p><\/li><li><p>Sunday, 30 May - flat 30KM time trial<\/p><\/li><\/ul><h3 style=\"text-align:center;\">A skiver's guide<\/h3><p>We suggest you start planning your personal Skiver's guide to the Giro d'Italia now. Preparation, research and cunning are critical to success. Remember that an outrageous truth is often a much more effective deception than a lie. See Machiavelli or Johnson for tips.<\/p><p>Build up some extra 'brownie points' now and during the rest days by offering to do some extra housework. Remember, it will be worth it in the end. With many people working at home now, the old \"my internet has been really flaky\" excuse can be a way of avoiding endless meetings. Add some realism by mentioning that BT Openreach is \"doing something with the green box at the end of the road\".<\/p><p>We don't recommend inventing an illness or injury to justify to your boss why you can't work. Before you know it, it's Monday and you're telling your work colleagues about your mega-ride on Sunday. At this point, they ask \"Didn't you have Legionnaire's disease last week?\".<\/p><p>If you are going to invent something, make it embarrassing so no one wants to ask questions. It's also much better to invent a relative, like Oscar Wilde's Ernest who uses his imaginary friend Bunbury as an excuse to avoid social obligations.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/lsdjmrso2c4i3qyi8hnkzhg7qxhlvhoxoda8a6dvzwrywisx.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75955189\" \/><\/p><h3>\"You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off\"<\/h3><p>This year's Giro starts with a pan-flat time trial in the heart of Torino. Unless the final overall comes down to seconds the opening TT is unlikely to have any impact. It's home to 'the Shroud', much of the Italian automotive industry and setting for the film the Italian Job.<\/p><p><strong>Torino - home to Italy's car industry<\/strong><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/viwdirjy0iozwdglhy1n94affenusmetlh9qwqyu4cswlyne.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75952675\" \/><\/p><h3>Thursday, 13 May - Stage 6 - <strong>mountain top finish<\/strong><\/h3><p><strong>Grotte di Frasassi - Ascoli Piceno<\/strong><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/73qkfcitedhulfvnauynjess8jjvewmuowb6pkcmnsdpc7zb.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75950644\" \/><br \/>Sunday, May 16 - Stage 9 - mountains and gravel finish<\/h3><p><strong>Castel di Sangro - Campo Felice<\/strong><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/ianfhynuos8czxzf9jozbeqiqainqcobsp5n00tsylvj4kgl.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75950799\" \/><br \/><strong>Last year's Giro<\/strong><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/4gdt43kx8zy2gsxxd7bwbakcrcjtyqaerzfnoxvfpkxixhly.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75953812\" \/><\/p><h3>Wednesday, May 19 - Strade Bianchi<\/h3><p>Perugia - Montalcino<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/3uuavn4mbddoseto2tldaj1dbscshkorwlqumx1apjzetd3h.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75951113\" \/><br \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/f5tkcfiu2obmsuekgacv9lbikhsra3mvwkzcvrj13nea0jif.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75954205\" \/><br \/><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/yonolatengo\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>yonolatengo<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/yonolatengo\/14309510346\/in\/photolist-nNtYTC-aoTQRD-D7fvKq-7Z4XQY-7Z1JTp-7Z1JHx-9GvGpV-9GvG6D-9GvBMX-9GyvWb-9GvFh6-9Gyvmj-9GvC1t-9GyvyS-9GvEcr-9Gywa7-9GvDqK-9GvCmk-9GyzZm-9GvFpx-9GvETT-9GvEtT-9GvDFi-9GvBin-9Gyzk7-9Gywvd-9GyzrY-9Gyxgu-carePf-9Gywf5-aoWDj7-2g8N7Cn-9Gyx27-careJ7-carhJQ-cargdW-daKBc7-9GvC3c-carhqy-cargtd-carhMS-cargpd-carhuf-caredo-carhSf-carhc7-carh3u-cargxG-carhDb-careXq\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Giro 2014<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CC By 2.0<\/strong><\/a><\/p><h3>Thursday, May 20 - more mountains<\/h3><p><strong>Siena-Bagno di Romagna<\/strong><br \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/wi7aoceuk5lszrfw6gre2fcin1prvcjahzrpiptisacnrihi.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75954541\" \/><\/p><h3><strong>Saturday, 22 May - 'easy' side of Monte Zoncolan<\/strong><\/h3><p><strong>Cittadella-Monte Zoncolan<\/strong><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/tem7rnlejfgjpwnfh7ugg3hpjvbh7kqonehtkaqfwldzqf3q.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75951271\" \/><br \/>Monday, 24 May - Queen stage<\/h3><p><strong>Sacile-Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo<\/strong><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/s8ag77kxsyxeavfyycqacjkbneaulbqmekidb7zmpprw8wva.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75951456\" \/><br \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/xk127olesphkuldwpy73k9htonwq0xgszvlqunusjdnx4glg.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75953598\" \/><\/h3><h3>Wednesday, 26 May - mountain top finish<\/h3><p><strong>Canazei-Sega di Ala<\/strong><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/lzpedqo7ocyhholqhuzncyvet2dicadodvc37mkpr0zhudq6.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75951769\" \/><br \/>Friday, May 28 - mountain top finish<\/h3><p><strong>Abbiategrasso-Alpe di Mera<\/strong><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/pawzsqum6ks6gfu2l5obu4koli1k0pjcy5pcgl2vaq6vs9b8.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75952111\" \/><\/h3><h3>Saturday, May 29 - mountain top finish<\/h3><p><strong>Verbania-Alpe Motta<\/strong><br \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/xfsbolbogcgiw36m0gmkhivqz1yfmjzrbmj4g1ovbqcfcd15.webp.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75952269\" \/><\/p><h3>Sunday, 30 May - flat 30KM time trial<\/h3><p><strong>Senago-Milano<\/strong><br \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/trqqxjf7ndw6xl91qqf1qimswnxj89spavhsojftiihdlp5f.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"75954714\" \/><br \/><br \/>Stage profiles by RCS Sport.<\/p><p>Published: 4 May 2021 - Author:\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/rijden.uk\/about\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tim Costello<\/a><\/p><p><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align:center;\"><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/grrbpemyywmusal5merxugim70nijvc2vqzqxpkx6vlx83lu.jpg\" alt=\"grrbpemyywmusal5merxugim70nijvc2vqzqxpkx6vlx83lu.jpg\" \/><strong>NEVER MISS OUT<\/strong><\/h3><p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/rijden.uk\/keep-in-touch\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to get all our latest stories and news. We won't bombard you with special offers. We don't want to send you junk as much as you don't want to receive it.<\/p><p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/keep-in-touch\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/mg2lpmcmpubpmzgyugejlw2ozkc8zbznkm3aaaopqiteqikx.jpg\" alt=\"mg2lpmcmpubpmzgyugejlw2ozkc8zbznkm3aaaopqiteqikx.jpg\" \/><\/u><\/a><\/p>","urlTitle":"giro-guide-to-skiving","url":"\/blog\/giro-guide-to-skiving\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/giro-guide-to-skiving\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/rijden.uk\/blog\/giro-guide-to-skiving\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1620064034,"updatedAt":1704917710,"publishedAt":1704917710,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":61205,"name":"Rijden_2"},"tags":[{"id":1216,"code":"road-racing","name":"RoadRacing","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/road-racing\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6lfzq1q7mtl0boiwkh2d9hkxrq9toecokzl3gsb4fzvdxhs0.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6lfzq1q7mtl0boiwkh2d9hkxrq9toecokzl3gsb4fzvdxhs0.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6lfzq1q7mtl0boiwkh2d9hkxrq9toecokzl3gsb4fzvdxhs0.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Skiver's guide to the Giro | Rijden cycling","metaDescription":"How to avoid work, stay at home and watch the Giro d'Italia on TV.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":10141,"title":"Soviet Invasion","url":"\/blog\/goodwood-1982\/","urlTitle":"goodwood-1982","division":61205,"description":"The first of three stories about the 1982 World Cycling Championships which was held at Goodwood. 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