Yesterday, the Giro d'Italia announced the novelty of the Red Bull KM, which will bring double bonuses to the pink race in all stage races of the 2025 edition. While waiting to hear the reactions of the Giro participants, we asked for an opinion from a stage race specialist like Vincenzo Nibali, winner of the Giro d'Italia in 2013 and 2016.

The 40-year-old from Messina is among the 7 cycling legends capable of winning at least one edition of all three Grand Tours. He has also won the Vuelta a España in 2010 and the Tour de France in 2014 and has finished on the podium 7 times between Giro, Tour, and Vuelta. The Shark, considered one of the strongest and most complete champions of all time, is also one of only four riders (along with Merckx, Hinault, and Gimondi) to have won the three Grand Tours and at least two Monument classics in their career: the Giro di Lombardia in 2015 and 2017 and Milan-Sanremo in 2018.

Vincenzo, what do you think of this novelty?

"It needs to be tested, like everything else. It seems appealing and could add some spice to the battle for the pink jersey. These bonus seconds can be a double-edged sword for the spectacle. Some will be interested in winning as many as possible, while others will do everything to ensure they don't have a significant impact on the overall standings, giving more space to breakaways. In the end, it's always the riders who "make the race" and they'll behave accordingly based on what works best for them. I remember the Giro won by Ryder Hesjedal in the final time trial against Purito Rodriguez. In a finale like that, 6" per stage could have been the tipping point, but if minutes fly by in the mountains, it's a whole different story."

If you were still in the peloton, would you have welcomed this change?

"Honestly, I didn't pay much attention to bonuses. I aimed to create a gap in a single stage, gain a considerable advantage, and close the deal once and for all. Given my characteristics, I made the difference on climbs, I would never have waited to play it out on a few seconds. It happened to me only once, at a Tour of Croatia that I won by 5", thanks to 3" gained in an intermediate sprint, for which I was particularly aggressive. Imagine that I beat a sprinter like Sonny Colbrelli when one is fully focused... I sprinted up a small climb, the flying finish was placed at the top of a little hill."

Your favorite for the pink jersey?

"Primoz Roglic, but these sprints could favor Team Q36.5 captain Tom Pidcock, who is very explosive. Those who struggle with accelerations like Antonio Tiberi will need to be careful and create a diversion, but if I were him, I wouldn't worry too much because in three weeks there will be plenty of elevation to prove his worth. I wouldn't have been desperate even if Valverde or Rodriguez of the moment beat me regularly in sprints. I would have come up with something, using the skills of my faster teammates and dropping them on the climbs. Without the defending champion Tadej Pogacar at the start, the Giro promises to be very open and competitive. It will be a spectacle."