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'It'll be a close GC battle between the time trialists and the climbers' - Pozzovivo uses his 18 years of Giro experience to analyse the 2027 route
Italian veteran identified the key moments of the 2027 Corsa Rosa and could ride despite turning 44.
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The route of the 2027 Giro d'Italia was widely praised for its balance and flow, with the 56.9km of time trialing countered by iconic mountain stages, including the steep Mortirolo, the Gavia and Monte Zoncolan.
The three-week Italian Grand Tours could appeal to pure climbers like 2026 winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and also Grand Tour time trialists like Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and even world champion Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates).
Few riders have committed to riding the 2027 Corsa Rosa so far and even fewer were present in Rome for the presentation as they enjoyed their end of season holidays.
Domenico Pozzovivo turns 44 at the end of November but is eyeing a return to the Giro in 2027 with Solution Tech NIPPO Rali after coming out of retirement in the spring of 2026.
Pozzovivo has ridden the Giro 18 times and won a mountain stage way back in 2012. He has three University degrees and also works as a coach and consultant, giving him the qualifications to talk about the 2027 Giro route.
"It's going to be a close GC battle between the time trialists and the climbers," he told Bicisport in Rome after the presentation.
"The mountain time trial gives the specialists a chance to gain time but then there are some really tough summit finishes."
Even after a first look, Pozzovivo identified the key points of each week of the Giro.
"The start is nasty because the opening three stages aren't for the sprinters. There's a nice stage to remember Michele Scarponi with the road to Sassotetto a real climb," he said.
"The mountain time trial is also interesting. It falls mid-way between something for the TT for the specialists and the climbers.
"The last week has some really iconic climbs in it. The double climb of the Mortirolo from the Mazzo side, plus the Gavia is special, as the final showdown on the Zoncolan.
"It's a different Giro to what we're used to but there's a nice balance to the route."
