With 25,000m in altitude gain, almost three times Mount Everest, the Giro-E 2020 is billed as the only stage race in the world dedicated to electrically-assisted bikes.
Now in its third edition, after the inaugural event of 2018, the Giro-E is scheduled to take place this year from October 4-25, on the same roads and the same days as the Giro d’Italia.
The event features 20 stages – only one less than the Corsa Rosa – over a total distance of 1,500km, and includes time trials stages for the first time. This year seven teams will take part in the Giro-E, an event organized by RCS Sport.
The organiser notes that, thanks to the use of electrically-assisted bikes… ‘the Giro-E allows amateur cyclists with a minimum of training to experience the emotions and routes reserved for the pro riders, fighting to get on the podium of the Giro d’Italia.’
The seven teams lining up are
Toyota
The Japanese manufacturer, which is also the Official Car of the event, will bring two RAV4 Hybrids, six Corolla TS 1.8 Hybrids and a Prius Plug In Hybrid to the Giro-E, as well as Toyota Motor Italia dealers, employees and ambassadors. It will ride Trek e-bikes. Like last year, the team captain will be Patrick Martini, a former Italian pro athlete and a presenter for Icarus Sky Sport.
Italia Agenzia Nazionale Turismo
The Italian tourism agency will participate with its own team of non-professional cyclists, riding Bianchi bikes and composed – in rotation over 20 stages – of 20 participants, including: journalists, influencers, bloggers, Instagrammers and tour operators.
Michele Scarponi Foundation
A new entry in the Giro-E is the foundation dedicated to Michele Scarponi, who conquered the 2009 Tirreno-Adriatico and 2011 Giro d’Italia. Michele lost his life in 2017 in a road accident. For this reason the foundation that bears his name promotes the safety of cyclists – riding Trek bikes in this year’s event.
Valsir
An Italian multinational leader in the plumbing and heating sector, Valsir makes its debut at Giro-E with its own team made of collaborators and commercial partners. Under the supervision of team manager Emanuele Bombini and captain Roberto Ferrari, a former pro who retired last year and stage winner at the 2012 Giro, 80 ‘athletes’, selected from customers and collaborators, will wear the company colours to represent and share the passion of Valsir, official sponsor of the Giro d’Italia, in one of the sporting events that best embody the history and spirit of cycling. On De Rosa bikes.
Fly Cycling Team – CDI
The Fly Cycling Team – CDI is a union of two organisations active in promoting sport and health. It will ride Look bikes.
Banca Mediolanum
As in 2019, the Mediolanum team will invite customers and potential customers identified by Mediolanum Family Bankers in the towns where the stages will start. Team members riding Bianchi Aria bikes will change every day, including the team captain.
RCS Sport – JGMF EU-Pharma
This is the first appearance for RCS Sport, organiser of the event, and now owner of a team. It will bring guests, journalists, influencers and partners to pedal on the roads of the Giro d’Italia on Bianchi bikes.
Giro-E 2020 jerseys
The teams will compete for six jerseys. The event organising team notes that the final rankings are purely symbolic, as it is not a competition and there are no prizes of value. Six jerseys will be assigned after each stage, which will be worn on the next stage by the team captain or vice captain.
- Maglia Viola (purple) | Enel X | Leader of the General Classification (the sum of all rankings)
- Maglia Arancione (orange) | Italia Agenzia Nazionale Turismo | Leader of the Regularity Classification (the sum of the score obtained in regularity tests)
- Maglia Blu (blue) | European Commission | Leader of the Youth Classification
- Maglia Rossa (red) | Sara Assicurazioni | Leader of the Sprint Classification
- Maglia Nera (black) | Intimissimi Uomo | Leader of the Master Classification
- Maglia Azzurra (light blue) | Cortina 2021 | Leader of the Special Stage Classification
