2003 Giro d'Italia

Template:Short description The 2003 Giro d'Italia was the 86th edition of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The Giro began in Lecce with a mass-start stage. The race came to a close with a individual time trial that began and ended in the Italian city of Milan. Nineteen teams entered the race that was won by the Italian Gilberto Simoni of the Template:Cycling data SAE team. Second and third were the Italian Stefano Garzelli and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych.

It was Simoni's second win in the Giro. After the race, it was discovered that sixth-placed Raimondas Rumšas had tested positive in this Giro.

This edition of the Giro was the first UCI endorsed race where the wearing of helmets was compulsory.

With Gilberto Simoni's general classification victories in 2003 and in 2001, Simoni became the eighteenth rider to repeat as winner of the Giro d'Italia. In addition to the general classification, Simoni also won the points classification. In the race's other classifications, Template:Cycling data SDA rider Fredy González won the mountains classification and Magnus Bäckstedt of the Team Fakta-Pata Chips team won the intergiro classification. Template:Cycling data LAM finished as the winners of the Trofeo Fast Team classification, ranking each of the nineteen teams contesting the race by lowest cumulative time. The other team classification, the Trofeo Super Team classification, where the teams' riders are awarded points for placing within the top twenty in each stage and the points are then totaled for each team was won by Template:Cycling data FAS.

Teams

A total of 19 teams were invited to participate in the 2003 Giro d'Italia. Each team sent a squad of nine riders (only Kelme–Costa Blanca started eight), so the Giro began with a peloton of 170 cyclists. Out of the 170 riders that started this edition of the Giro d'Italia, a total of 97 riders made it to the finish in Milan.

The 19 teams that took part in the race were:

Template:Cycling data ALB Template:Cycling data CCC Template:Cycling data PAN Template:Cycling data SDA De Nardi Domina Vacanze-Elitron Template:Cycling data FAS

Template:Cycling data FDJ Template:Cycling data MDN Template:Cycling data GST Template:Cycling data KEL Template:Cycling data LAM Template:Cycling data CRE

Template:Cycling data DVL Template:Cycling data UNO Template:Cycling data SAE Team Fakta-Pata Chips Template:Cycling data Tenax Template:Cycling data VIN

Route and stages

Profile of a mountain.

Monte Zoncolan was climbed from eastern side of the mountain where the climb begins in Sutrio. The mountain hosted the end of the twelfth stage.

The route for the 2003 Giro d'Italia was unveiled by race director Carmine Castellano on 30 November 2002 in Milan. It contained two time trial events, all of which were individual. The organizers divided the remaining eighteen stages into three categories: flat stages, rolling stages, and mountain stages. Twelve of the stages were declared flat stages. Of the seven stages remaining, three stages were designated rolling stages and three were ranked as mountain stages. In the stages containing categorized climbs, six had summit finishes: stage 3, to Terme Luigiane; stage 7, to Monte Terminillo; stage 12, to Monte Zoncolan; stage 14, to Alpe di Pampeago; stage 18, to Chianale; and stage 19, to Cascata del Toce. The organizers chose to include two rest days. When compared to the previous year's race, the race was longer, contained the same amount of rest days, and one less individual time trial. In addition, this race lacked an opening prologue like the previous year had.

Stage characteristics and winners

Stage	Date	Course	Distance	Type		Winner
1	10 May	Lecce to Lecce		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
2	11 May	Copertino to Matera		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
3	12 May	Policoro to Terme Luigiane		File:Mediummountainstage.svg	Medium mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
4	13 May	Terme Luigiane to Vibo Valentia		File:Mediummountainstage.svg	Medium mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
5	14 May	Messina to Catania		File:Mediummountainstage.svg	Medium mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
	15 May	Rest day
6	16 May	Maddaloni to Avezzano		File:Mediummountainstage.svg	Medium mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
7	17 May	Avezzano to Monte Terminillo		File:Mountainstage.svg	Mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
8	18 May	Rieti to Arezzo		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
9	19 May	Arezzo to Montecatini Terme		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
10	20 May	Montecatini Terme to Faenza		File:Mediummountainstage.svg	Medium mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
11	21 May	Faenza to San Donà di Piave		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
12	22 May	San Donà di Piave to Monte Zoncolan		File:Mountainstage.svg	Mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
13	23 May	Pordenone to Marostica		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
14	24 May	Marostica to Alpe di Pampeago		File:Mountainstage.svg	Mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
15	25 May	Merano to Bolzano		File:Time Trial.svg	Individual time trial	Template:Flagathlete
16	26 May	Arco to Pavia		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
	27 May	Rest day
17	28 May	Salice Terme to Asti		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
18	29 May	Sanuario di Vicoforte to Chianale		File:Mountainstage.svg	Mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
19	30 May	Canelli to Cascata del Toce		File:Mountainstage.svg	Mountain stage	Template:Flagathlete
20	31 May	Cannobio to Cantù		File:Plainstage.svg	Flat stage	Template:Flagathlete
21	1 June	Milan to Milan		File:Time Trial.svg	Individual time trial	Template:Flagathlete
	Total

Classification leadership

In the 2003 Giro d'Italia, five different jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage, and allowing time bonuses for the first three finishers on mass-start stages, the leader received a pink jersey. This classification is considered the most important of the Giro d'Italia, and the winner is considered the winner of the Giro.

A mountain road with grass on each side.

The Colle d'Esischie was the Cima Coppi for the 2004 Giro d'Italia.

Additionally, there was a points classification, which awarded a mauve jersey. In the points classification, cyclists got points for finishing in the top 15 in a stage. The stage win awarded 25 points, second place awarded 20 points, third 16, fourth 14, fifth 12, sixth 10, and one point fewer per place down the line, to a single point for 15th. In addition, points could be won in intermediate sprints.

There was also a mountains classification, which awarded a green jersey. In the mountains classifications, points were won by reaching the top of a mountain before other cyclists. Each climb was categorized as either first, second, or third category, with more points available for the higher-categorized climbs. The highest point in the Giro (called the Cima Coppi), which in 2003 was the Colle d'Esischie, afforded more points than the other first-category climbs.

The fourth jersey represented the intergiro classification, marked by a blue jersey. The calculation for the intergiro is similar to that of the general classification, in each stage there is a midway point that the riders pass through a point and where their time is stopped. As the race goes on, their times compiled and the person with the lowest time is the leader of the intergiro classification and wears the blue jersey.

There were also two classifications for teams. The first was the Trofeo Fast Team. In this classification, the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added; the leading team was the team with the lowest total time. The Trofeo Super Team was a team points classification, with the top 20 placed riders on each stage earning points (20 for first place, 19 for second place and so on, down to a single point for 20th) for their team.

The rows in the following table correspond to the jerseys awarded after that stage was run.

Classification leadership by stage

Stage	Winner	General classification File:Jersey pink.svg	Points classification File:Jersey violet.svg	Mountains classification File:Jersey green.svg	Intergiro classification File:Jersey blue.svg	Trofeo Fast Team	Trofeo Super Team
1	Alessandro Petacchi	Alessandro Petacchi	Alessandro Petacchi	not awarded	Andris Naudužs	De Nardi-Colpack	Template:Cycling data PAN
2	Fabio Baldato			Fredy González	Mario Cipollini	Template:Cycling data ALB	Template:Cycling data ALB
3	Stefano Garzelli				Andris Naudužs
4	Robbie McEwen
5	Alessandro Petacchi				Moreno di Biase
6	Alessandro Petacchi						Template:Cycling data FAS
7	Stefano Garzelli	Stefano Garzelli				Saeco	Template:Cycling data ALB
8	Mario Cipollini
9	Mario Cipollini						Domina Vacanze-Elitron
10	Kurt Asle Arvesen	Gilberto Simoni
11	Robbie McEwen						Template:Cycling data FAS
12	Gilberto Simoni					Template:Cycling data LAM
13	Alessandro Petacchi
14	Gilberto Simoni
15	Aitor González				Magnus Bäckstedt
16	Alessandro Petacchi
17	Alessandro Petacchi
18	Dario Frigo		Stefano Garzelli			Saeco
19	Gilberto Simoni		Gilberto Simoni
20	Giovanni Lombardi
21	Serhiy Honchar					Template:Cycling data LAM
Final		Gilberto Simoni	Gilberto Simoni	Fredy González	Magnus Bäckstedt	Template:Cycling data LAM	Template:Cycling data FAS

Final standings

Legend
Pink jersey	Denotes the winner of the General classification	Green jersey	Denotes the winner of the Mountains classification
Purple jersey	Denotes the winner of the Points classification	Blue jersey	Denotes the winner of the Intergiro classification

General classification

	Rider	Team	Time
1	Template:Flagathlete Pink jerseyPurple jersey	Template:Cycling data SAE	89h 32' 09"
2	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data VIN	+ 7' 06"
3	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data CRE	+ 7' 11"
4	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data ALB	+ 9' 24"
5	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data GST	+ 9' 42"
DSQ	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data LAM	+ 9' 50"
6	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	+ 10' 50"
7	Template:Flagathlete	De Nardi	+ 14' 14"
8	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data ALB	+ 14' 26"
9	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data VIN	+ 19' 21"

Points classification

	Rider	Team	Points
1	Template:Flagathlete Purple jerseyPink jersey	Template:Cycling data SAE	154
2	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data VIN
3	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data LAM	137
4	Template:Flagathlete	Team Fakta-Pata Chips	119
5	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data VIN	91
6	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	90
7	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data CRE	88
8	Template:Flagathlete	Domina Vacanze-Elitron	81
9	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	70
10	Template:Flagathlete	De Nardi	69

Mountains classification

	Rider	Team	Points
1	Template:Flagathlete Green jersey	Template:Cycling data SDA	100
2	Template:Flagathlete Pink jerseyPurple jersey	Template:Cycling data SAE	78
3	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data KEL	65
4	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data VIN	36
5	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	29
6	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data CRE	24
7	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	15
8	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data CRE	12
9	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data GST
10	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data ALB	10

Intergiro classification

	Rider	Team	Time
1	Template:Flagathlete Blue jersey	Team Fakta-Pata Chips	50h 20' 37"
2	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data LAM	+ 2' 02"
3	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data KEL	+ 2' 26"
4	Template:Flagathlete	Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave	+ 3' 06"
5	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	+ 3' 09"
6	Template:Flagathlete	De Nardi	+ 3' 20"
7	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FDJ	+ 3' 30"
8	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data KEL	+ 3' 36"
9	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data FAS	+ 3' 50"
10	Template:Flagathlete	Template:Cycling data VIN	+ 3' 54"

Trofeo Fast Team classification

	Team	Time
1	Template:Cycling data LAM	269h 37' 37"
2	Template:Cycling data SAE	+ 1' 08"
3	Template:Cycling data ALB	+ 5' 46"
4	Template:Cycling data FAS	+ 18' 39"
5	Template:Cycling data VIN	+ 20' 54"
6	Template:Cycling data UNO	+ 32' 41"
7	Template:Cycling data GST	+ 53' 40"
8	Template:Cycling data CCC	+ 57' 04"
9	De Nardi	+ 1h 14' 02"
10	Template:Cycling data KEL	+ 1h 17' 35"

Trofeo Super Team classification

	Team	Points
1	Template:Cycling data FAS	561
2	Template:Cycling data LAM	394
3	Template:Cycling data ALB	354
4	Domina Vacanze-Elitron	343
5	Template:Cycling data VIN	315
6	Template:Cycling data SAE	312
7	De Nardi	258
8	Template:Cycling data CRE	251
9	Template:Cycling data PAN	247
10	Team Fakta-Pata Chips	225

Minor classifications

Other less well-known classifications, whose leaders did not receive a special jersey, were awarded during the Giro. Other awards included the Combativity classification, which was a compilation of points gained for position on crossing intermediate sprints, mountain passes and stage finishes. Colombian Fredy González won the Most Combative classification. The Azzurri d'Italia classification was based on finishing order, but points were awarded only to the top three finishers in each stage. The Azzurri d'Italia classification was won by Gilberto Simoni. The Trofeo Fuga Piaggio classification rewarded riders who took part in a breakaway at the head of the field, each rider in an escape of ten or fewer riders getting one point for each kilometre that the group stayed clear. The classification was won by Constantino Zaballa. Teams were given penalty points for minor technical infringements. Template:Cycling data SDA was the most successful in avoiding penalties after not being penalized during the race, and so won the Fair Play classification.