Cycling
A new Red Bull KM is shaking up the Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia 2025 introduces a new feature that impacts the race for the pink jersey: Red Bull KM scoring. Find out how this strategic element shapes this year's competition
The fight for the pink jersey is even more thrilling this year. The 2025 Giro d’Italia introduces a new feature that makes a real impact on the overall standings: the Red Bull KM.
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What is the Red Bull KM?
Red Bull KM is set to give extra wiiings to the Giro d’Italia
© Red Bull
Nineteen of the 21 stages of this year’s edition, scheduled from May 9 to June 1, will feature a Red Bull branded kilometre, which will serve as the “gateway” to the only intermediate sprint that counts toward the general classification: the first three riders to cross the exit gate of the kilometre will earn time bonuses of six, four, and two seconds, respectively.
Since the Red Bull KM will be the only intermediate point of the race awarding bonus seconds for the overall standings – alongside the stage finish, where the winner gets a 10-second bonus – it aims to ignite fierce battles within the peloton.
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How will it affect the hunt for the pink jersey?
The fight for bonus seconds will be crucial from the very first stages in Albania when the standings are still tight. Featured in every sprint stage, the Red Bull KM will intensify the battle for the lead all the way to the grand finale in Rome. Just few seconds can overturn the predictions and change everything - like in 1948, when the winner of Il Giro d’Italia claimed victory by just an 11-second margin.
The Red Bull KM will motivate the teams to focus even more their strategies on breakaways and fight for the time bonuses. At the same time, attackers and the main group will have an additional incentive to deliver excitement for fans watching one of the toughest races in the world, held in a truly beautiful country. For the grand finale in Rome, in the Eternal City, where the best will lift the Trofeo Senza Fine, there will be an incredible surprise for the entire group.
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Where will the Red Bull KM be located?
The explosive sprint for the Red Bull KM prize on Stage 1 was a great debut
© RCS Sports & Events/Red Bull Content Pool
In every stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025, apart from the time trial, there will be two intermediate sprints called the Red Bull KM, placed at points of the course where the riders will have to be especially alert. 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.
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How the bonus points will impact the general classification
The challenge will be interesting right from the first stages in Albania and southern Italy when the classification will be 'short' and time triallists and sprinters will be able to dream of the lead before the road begins to climb on Day 7. The Red Bull KM, which is present on every road stage, will liven up the battle for the lead until the grand finale in Rome and will prove decisive if the gaps between the contenders for victory are narrow.
The excitement is building as fans line the roads and tune in from home - it's showtime at the Giro d'Italia! Get ready for a thrilling new take on this legendary race. Don't miss out!