Photographer: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images
The Giro d’Italia bills itself “the toughest race in the world’s most beautiful place.” While the Tour de France gets all the attention today, the two races once upon a time shared the glory of world attention on cycling. This year's Giro, which started May 5, is the 100th riding across Italy and will cover 3,615.4 kilometers (2,247 miles) over 21 stages. Racers from Vincenzo Nibali to Geraint Thomas will compete for the leader's famed pink jersey, once worn by cycling legends including Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx.