Tour of the Alps 2025 unveiled in World-class vernissage in Riva del Garda

Seven months after Juan Pedro Lopez's emotional victory in Levico Terme, the Tour of the Alps revealed its 48th edition route at Riva del Garda Congress Centre on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The euro-regional stage race will take place from April 21-25, 2025, across the Euregio territories of Tirol, Südtirol/Alto Adige, and Trentino.

The presentation gathered cycling's most prominent figures, with the world's leading race organizers in attendance ahead of tomorrow's AIOCC General Assembly - marking the organization's first-ever meeting on Italian soil. The prestigious audience included UCI President David Lappartient, UEC President Enrico Della Casa, AIOCC President and Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme, alongside the Presidents of the Italian and Austrian Cycling Federations, Cordiano Dagnoni and Harald Mayer.

The #TotA 2025 comprises five stages covering 739 kilometers and featuring 14,700 meters of elevation gain. The race opens in Trentino, with San Lorenzo Dorsino hosting both the pre-race activities on Easter Sunday and Stage 1. The second stage departs from Mezzolombardo before moving into Südtirol/Alto Adige for two compelling new stage finishes in Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines and Innichen/San Candido, set against the backdrop of the 3 Zinnen/3 Cime peaks.

The race concludes with two stages in Osttirol (East Tirol). After an important stage from Sillian to Obertilliach, the finale returns to Lienz - mirroring the 2022 edition where Romain Bardet secured the overall victory following a spectacular display that saw Thibaut Pinot celebrate in the storm.

The route embodies the distinctive Tour of the Alps format: selective climbs staying below 2,000 meters altitude, compact stages, and minimal transfers. This proven formula continues to attract both champions and teams, all motivated to deliver aggressive racing and spectacular performances. Beyond the sporting aspect, the race celebrates the Tirol-Südtirol/Alto Adige-Trentino Euroregion through deep community engagement: all of it is part of the signature "TotA format" that many observers now consider World Tour-caliber.

THE OPENING IN TRENTINO: SAN LORENZO DORSINO TAKES CENTER STAGE

The Tour of the Alps maintains its tradition of showcasing the regions' hidden gems. The 2025 edition starts from San Lorenzo Dorsino, a jewel in the Paganella area nestled on the southeastern slopes of the Brenta Dolomites. This UNESCO World Biodiversity heritage site, recognized among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, represents a paradise for nature enthusiasts and slow tourism.

San Lorenzo Dorsino returns to cycling's spotlight after hosting a 2022 Giro Donne stage won by current Olympic Champion Kristen Faulkner. The village, known for wellness tourism, also boasts rich culinary heritage, particularly the distinctive "Ciuiga del Banale" sausage made with pork and white turnips, celebrated annually in its November festival.

Stage 1 covers 143 kilometers over the renowned "Giro del Brenta" route, popular among amateur cyclists. From San Lorenzo Dorsino, the peloton tackles a steady ascent to Andalo before confronting the day's major tests: the Campo Carlo Magno KOM followed by the Passo del Durone. The decisive action unfolds over the final 9 kilometers, featuring an irregular climb back to San Lorenzo Dorsino, with the gradients ramping up to 7-8% in the last two kilometers.

THE LONGEST DAY, FROM MEZZOLOMBARDO TO STERZING/VIPITENO

Stage 2 presents the race's longest challenge with 178 kilometers and 3,750 meters of climbing. From Mezzolombardo, surrounded by the prestigious vineyards of Piana Rotaliana, the route heads into Südtirol/Alto Adige for a finish in Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines. Early action comes with the Petersberg/Monte San Pietro KOM and a series of punchy climbs designed to wear down the peloton before the decisive finale.

A long false flat leads into Sterzing/Vipiteno, where riders tackle two laps of a challenging 16-kilometer circuit. Each lap features the testing Obertelfes/Telves di Sopra climb - 4 kilometers at 7% average with double-digit ramps - followed by a technical descent that concludes 8 kilometers from the finish.

TACTICAL BATTLE THROUGH SÜDTIROL/ALTO ADIGE TO INNICHEN/SAN CANDIDO AND THE 3 ZINNEN/3 CIME REGION

Stage 3's 145 kilometers from Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines to Innichen/San Candido offers multiple tactical scenarios, from long-range attacks to GC battles. The race's character transforms after an initial flat section with the debut of the Untermoi/Antermoia climb. Following a fast descent on wide roads, riders face the imposing Furkelpass/Passo Furcia, whose final 4 kilometers feature relentlessly steep gradients.

After descending through Pustertal/Val Pusteria, the race enters a decisive 21-kilometer circuit featuring the Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco climb, a sharp 5-kilometer test. From its summit, 11 kilometers remain, including a technical descent into Innichen/San Candido against the dramatic backdrop of the 3 Zinnen/3 Cime Dolomites. The finale winds through the historic center, with cobbled sections leading to the finishing straight.

THE OSSTIROL SHOWDOWN: SILLIAN, OBERTILLIACH AND LIENZ

After a short transfer across the Austrian border, Stage 4 departs from Sillian for 160 challenging kilometers to Obertilliach. The route immediately returns to Italy, climbing to Lake Misurina before tackling the demanding Passo Sant'Antonio and the steadier Kreuzbergpass/Monte Croce Comelico. After passing through Sexten/Sesto Pusteria - hometown to tennis star Jannik Sinner - and Innichen/San Candido, the race returns to Tirol for a testing finale.

Three climbs in quick succession - the Anras Oberried KOM, Tessenberg ascent, and Kartitscher Sattel KOM, the latter featuring particularly steep middle sections - will shape the outcome. Just 7 kilometers of primarily descending terrain separate the final summit from Obertilliach, where the road kicks up again at 4-5% after passing the biathlon center.

The Tour of the Alps concludes with a compact but potentially decisive 113-kilometer stage in Lienz, echoing the 2022 edition's dramatic finale. After 37 kilometers of flat racing, riders face an unprecedented approach to the Bannberg: 4.5 kilometers averaging 10% over 15 hairpins. A rolling section precedes a second assault on the Bannberg.

The classic descent leads to the valley floor and the day's final challenge: the Stronach climb, which proved decisive in 2022. Three kilometers of narrow roads at 13% average could once again determine the overall winner. From the summit, 10 kilometers remain to the finish in Lienz's Hauptplatz, where the 2025 champion will be crowned.

BUILDING FUTURE SUCCESS WITH INFRONT

The 2025 Tour of the Alps continues its forward momentum through a cutting-edge organizational structure, supported by technical expertise and a partnership with Infront, which manages TV production, distribution, and marketing rights.

This collaboration has already yielded significant results, strengthening sponsor relationships and enhancing TV coverage. The 2024 edition generated €17 million in certified media value, reflecting the event's growing profile.

The comprehensive strategy extends to media and digital initiatives, including a virtual racing experience continuing in 2025 through partnerships with Rouvy and ENDU. The successful Infront Bike Experience program also returns, offering sponsors and stakeholders an exclusive immersion in the race environment and the Tour of the Alps territories.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Monday, April 21, 2025
Stage 1 - San Lorenzo Dorsino to San Lorenzo Dorsino (143 km, 2,600m elevation gain) **

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Stage 2 - Mezzolombardo to Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines (178 km, 3,750m) ***

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Stage 3 - Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines to Innichen/San Candido (145 km, 2,750m) **

Thursday, April 24, 2025
Stage 4 - Sillian to Obertilliach (160 km, 3,200m) ****

Friday, April 25, 2025
Stage 5 - Lienz to Lienz (113 km, 2,400m) ***