Patrick Konrad: The only Austrian to start the Giro d'Italia!

Patrick Konrad: The only Austrian to start the Giro d'Italia!

The Giro d’Italia begins on May 9, 2025, and Austria is only represented by a single rider. Patrick Konrad from Lower Austria will be the only Austrian taking part in the competition. This represents a significant challenge for the 31-year-old professional cyclist, who is taking part in this prestigious tour for the fifth time. Konrad is hopeful because in 2018 and 2020 he was already able to achieve top ten placements, which secured him the recognition of the audience and the experts.

Konrad drives for the Lidl-Trek team, whose captain is the Italian Giulio Ciccone. This year the Giro d’Italia opens in Albania and lasts a total of three weeks. The anticipation of the race is heightened by the presence of numerous former winners.

Top favorites and prominent absences

One of the top favorites in the Giro d'Italia is Juan Ayuso from UAE Emirates, while former winner Primož Roglič from Red Bull-Bora also presents himself as a serious contender for victory. Roglič has already won the Giro in 2023 and is in impressive form. Other participants include some former champions, including Nairo Quintana (2014), Richard Carapaz (2019), Egan Bernal (2021) and Jai Hindley (2022).

However, there are also some noticeable absences that surprise the cycling community. Last year's winner Tadej Pogačar will not compete, as will stars Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. These absences change the starting position of the race and increase the pressure on the remaining top drivers.

Giro d’Italia – A look at history

The Giro d’Italia has been one of the most prestigious cycling races in the world since it was first held in 1909. To date, the event has counted 2,095 stages, a number that will remain current until stage 20 of the 2024 Giro. A distinctive feature of the race is the pink jersey, which has been awarded to the leader after each stage since 1931. The peculiarity is that the wearer of the pink jersey is only recognized as the winner of the Giro d'Italia after the last stage. In 2020, Tao Geoghegan Hart managed to win the pink jersey overall without having worn it during the race - a historic first.

In total, 2,019 pink jerseys have been awarded to 280 different riders since the competition began. Italy leads in total belts won with 1,152 pink jerseys and 69 Giro wins, followed by Belgium, Spain and France. These impressive statistics illustrate the long tradition and high level of the Giro d’Italia.

With the impending start of the Giro d'Italia, eyes are on Patrick Konrad, who wants to give his best in the upcoming edition of the Tour of Italy. The stage is set, the competition is strong and expectations are high – the Giro d’Italia 2025 promises to be an exciting race.

For further information about Patrick Konrad and the Giro d’Italia, read more at Laola1 and Austria. For historical details and statistics please visit Wikipedia.