The Giro d'Italia remains without borders, the first major stage race appointment of the season: the race starts on May 8th from Bulgaria, another absolute first just like the last three previous editions (Israel, Hungary and Albania) in a list of foreign starts that now reaches sixteen. Less harsh than those seen in the past, the route offers seven mountain finishes (Blockhaus and Corno alle Scale in the first week, Pila in the second, Carè in Switzerland, Andalo, Piani di Pezzè after four Dolomitic passes and Piancavallo in the final week) and just one 40-kilometer time trial in Versilia, concentrating most of its 5,000 meters of elevation gain in the third week. Apart from Vingegaard, chasing the only grand tour missing from his collection, both the stage race specialists are absent (Pogacar, Evenepoel and rising star Seixas) as well as the classics specialists (Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pedersen, points jersey wearer a year ago). Twenty-three teams at the start again this year; Italy has been without a victory for ten years (Nibali 2016) and without a podium finish for five (Caruso in 2021). Here are the ten faces aiming to parade in pink in Rome on May 31st.

Jonas Vingegaard. He wins because he's one of those who pedals a notch above the rest, because joining the club of those who have won all three grand tours is an incredibly strong motivation, because he has the ideal terrain to do it. He doesn't win because even on the road to the most obvious victories, surprises always emerge.

Giulio Pellizzari. He wins because he has nothing to lose, because a year ago as a domestique he finished sixth, because he's a guy who learns quickly and improves every time. He doesn't win because his teammate Hindley wakes up from his slumber and he'll have to help him.

Egan Bernal. He wins because he's the only one besides Hindley to have already done it, because he really enjoys racing on Italian roads, because in his recent outings he's appeared closer to what he was before the accident. He doesn't win because compared to others he's still missing something.

Derek Gee-West. He wins because the route suits his characteristics, because a year ago he stopped just short of the podium, because he has a team entirely for him and Ciccone could prove to be an excellent tactical weapon. He doesn't win because consistency is needed and he always finds a bad day.

Enric Mas. He wins because debutants always have a favorable eye from fate, because he's raced little this season and is fresh, because he's a mountain man and the Giro doesn't lack terrain for him. He doesn't win because being an excellent placer doesn't mean being a winner.

Damiano Caruso. He wins because in eight participations he's finished in the top eight in half of them, because if he reaches the final week in contention it becomes hard to shake him off, because compared to Buitrago he offers more guarantees. He doesn't win because at almost 39 years old, age is starting to take its toll.

Ben O'Connor. He wins because he's already breathed the air of high classification at the Giro and the Tour, because he's someone who doesn't fear hard stages, because he enjoys the complete trust of his team. He doesn't win because consistency is needed in grand tours and he doesn't always have it.

Felix Gall. He wins because he's established himself permanently in the top ten of grand tours, because he's the right age (28 years old) to start doing it, because he's another who can have his say in the final week. He doesn't win because he has only one previous race in Italy and he's not a wizard in time trials.

Adam Yates. He wins because in grand tours he's often tasted the top ten, because like his twin brother Simon a year ago he arrives under the radar, because in the absence of Pogacar he can return to playing the leader role. He doesn't win because making the general classification on your own isn't the same as doing it while helping a phenomenon.

Michael Storer. He wins because this is the grand stage race that suits him best, because he's one of those who sticks with you until the very end, because he's capable of defending himself on all terrains. He doesn't win because the jump from placer to winner for someone like him is still a long way off.