The battle for cycling’s coveted Maglia Rosa will intensify in unprecedented ways this May as the 2025 Giro d’Italia introduces a new feature poised to reshape the three-week race.
On the April 28, it was announced the “Red Bull KM,” will appear in 19 of the 21 stages scheduled from May 9 to June 1. This branded kilometer section serves as the gateway to the only intermediate sprint that awards time bonuses toward the general classification.
Unlike traditional intermediate sprints that typically only affect points classifications, the Red Bull KM offers significant advantages for the overall standings. The first three riders exiting each designated kilometer will collect time bonuses of 6, 4, and 2 seconds respectively.
These precious seconds could prove decisive in a race where margins are historically razor-thin. In 1948, for instance, the Giro d’Italia was decided by just eleven seconds – a scenario that could become more common with these additional opportunities for time gains.
The new format creates dual incentives. Stage winners will still receive their traditional 10-second time bonus, but the Red Bull KM represents the only other opportunity during each stage to gain time without actually crossing the finish line first.
The battle for these bonuses will begin during the opening stages in Albania when the general classification remains tight. Featured consistently through sprint stages and continuing all the way to the grand finale in Rome, these strategic kilometers will force teams to rethink traditional racing tactics.
“Watch out in particular on the penultimate day of the Giro, when the battle for bonus points will be ignited on the dirt track 4.3km from the Colle delle Finestre GPM. Before the final catwalk in Rome, it’s here that we’ll find out who will be the winner of the coveted pink jersey,” Red Bull said in a statement.
Race strategists anticipate the change will encourage more aggressive racing, with teams potentially dedicating resources to position their leaders advantageously at these critical junctures. Simultaneously, the feature may inspire more breakaway attempts as riders seek the valuable time bonuses.
For spectators following “the toughest race in the world, held in the most beautiful country,” the Red Bull KM promises additional moments of excitement as teams battle for every possible advantage.
The race culminates in Rome, where the ultimate victor will hoist the Trofeo Senza Fine (Endless Trophy) after navigating both the traditional challenges of the Giro and this strategic new element that could make every kilometer count toward final glory.
Following in the footsteps of the Tour de France
The addition of the Red Bull KM bonus sprints provides another layer of strategy for teams and riders. In a race like the Giro, where seconds can make all the difference, these intermediate time bonuses encourage more aggressive riding. Riders not only need to focus on finishing stages but also on securing time bonuses during specific points, adding a tactical element to the race that can have an impact on the general classification.
By spreading out these opportunities across multiple stages, it makes the competition more intense from the very start, meaning that no rider can take it easy, and the standings are in flux at all times.
Modern cycling fans, especially in the era of social media and digital engagement, are looking for excitement and unpredictability. The Red Bull KM is a feature that will likely generate more in-the-moment excitement for spectators, particularly those watching live broadcasts or attending stages. The time bonuses at these intermediate points will create mini-races within each stage that could be thrilling to watch and follow, enhancing the viewer experience.
This is important for the Giro, as it seeks to stay relevant in a world where fans have many entertainment options. By incorporating exciting, unpredictable elements like the Red Bull KM, it can maintain and even grow its audience base, especially when compared to the allure of the Tour de France, which has a huge following globally.
In 2021, the Tour de France revamped its points classification system to better reward sprinters. This change involved awarding more points for finishes in flat stages, aligning the system more closely with other road races. This adjustment aimed to provide sprinters with more opportunities to accumulate points, thereby increasing the competitiveness and visibility of the points classification.
Prior to the change, the points classification awarded 50 points to the winner of a flat stage and 20 points for each intermediate sprint. This structure heavily favored sprinters who excelled in flat stages and intermediate sprints. However, this approach did not adequately reward sprinters who performed well in hilly or mountain stages.
To address this imbalance, the 2021 Tour de France introduced a revised points distribution system:
- Flat Stages: The winner received 50 points, with points decreasing for subsequent positions.
- Intermediate Sprints: The winner earned 20 points, with a similar decreasing scale for other positions.
- Mountain Stages: Points were awarded to the top finishers, with the winner receiving 20 points, decreasing for other positions.
- Individual Time Trials: Points were awarded to the top finishers, with the winner receiving 20 points, decreasing for other positions.
This new system aimed to provide a more balanced opportunity for sprinters to accumulate points across various types of stages, not just flat ones.
