Giro d'Italia 2015: Dates, Route Map, Stage Previews and TV Coverage Info

The Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's three major Grand Tours, with the 98th edition of race due to commence on May 9.

The first stage will take place between San Lorenzo al Mare and Sanremo in a 17.6-kilometre team time trial, with the conclusion on May 31—as the riders head from the great cities of Turin and Milan.

The 2014 edition was won by Nairo Quintana of Movistar Team, becoming the first Colombian to win the event. However, he will not be taking part this year to defend his title. 

This year's race will feature live on Eurosport, with daily action throughout the competition. 

Here is the full preview list of stages for the Giro, including the official video of the route map: 

Stage No.	Date	Route	Distance (km)
1	May 9	San Lorenzo al Mare -Sanmero	17.6
2	May 10	Albenga - Genoa	177
3	May 11	Rapallo - Sestri Levante	136
4	May 12	Chiavari - La Spezia	150
5	May 13	La Spezia - Abetone	152
6	May 14	Montecatini Terme - Castiglione	183
7	May 15	Grosseto - Fiuggi	264
8	May 16	Fiuggi - Campitello Matese	186
9	May 17	Benevento - San Giorgio Del Sannio	215
10	May 19	Civitanova Marche - Forli	200
11	May 20	Forli - Imola	153
12	May 21	Imola - Vicenza	190
13	May 22	Montecchio Maggiore - Jesolo	147
14	May 23	Treviso - Valdobbiadene	59.4
15	May 24	Marostica - Madonna Di Campiglio	165
16	May 26	Pinzolo - Aprica	174
17	May 27	Aprica - Lugano	174
18	May 28	Melide - Verbania	170
19	May 29	Gravellona Toce - Cervinia	236
20	May 30	Saint-Vincent - Sestriere	199
21	May 31	Turin - Milan	178

Race Preview

The 2015 race will be as gruelling as ever, with six sprinting stages and six mountain races to keep the blood flowing and the entertainment high.

An individual time trial between Treviso and Valdobbiadene is also included, as well as three other stages of high climbing to test the riders. 

The route is a high-octane one and will certainly be favoured by the elite riders of the Grand Tour, who will enjoy its balanced topography. 

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

The opening time trial from San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo is a spectacular and beautiful path over 17.6 kilometres and is a fantastic way to start the traditional battle. 

And as the Tour de France ends in its urban Parisian location, the Giro ends up in Milan with seven laps of the city after a road race from Turin. 

Richie Porte will lead Team Sky's assault on the competition this season. It is the first time the Australian has led the team in Italy, after being pulled from last year's race due to illness. 

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

In a team statement, per the Press Association via The Guardian, the 30-year-old expressed his delight at the challenge ahead:

"

The Giro d’Italia has been my main goal of the season. I’ve worked very hard through the winter and am entering the race strong, healthy and up for the challenge. The competition will be tough and anything can happen in a Grand Tour but we’ve got a great group of riders going into the race and we are ready for it.

"

Porte has won key races at Paris-Nice, Volta a Catalunya and Giro del Trentino and is well-placed for a strong finish for Team Sky. The rider has made a number of technical changes since 2014, and the improvements to his final placings have been excellent. 

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Team Sky are missing their big hitters in Tour de France winner Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, per Eurosport, but the depth of their ride will mean they will challenge for the honours. 

Movistar will defend their title without champion Quintana, with Benat Intxausti leading their pack. The Basque athlete will be joined by Igor Anton, per CyclingNews.com, as they look for an individual top placing. 

This year is a striking opportunity for Porte, especially with a few notable absentees who would've surely battled for the crown.

If Team Sky can stay fit and healthy and avoid any potential road accidents, they can lead the Aussie home to victory in yet another Grand Tour win for the British team.