Official Giro d'Italia 2015 programme on sale now

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There's just under a month to go until the 98th Giro d'Italia gets under way on May 9 with a team time trial in San Lorenzo al Mare. Three glorious weeks of cycling will follow, taking in a long individual time trial, 12 medium and high mountain stages and seven sprint segments along the way.

It's on those fearsome climbs – and the riders who master them – that this year's official Giro d'Italia programme, available via buysubscriptions.com, is turning its focus. The guide leads with a look at the most dramatic stages in previous Giros, while also running a rule over this year's main protagonists, hearing from Giuseppe Guerini on the day he outlasted Marco Pantani and taking a look back at the heritage of 130-year-old Italian marque Bianchi.

As well as all the routes, rider profiles and stage analyses, the programme also takes in some stunning photography from Giros gone by – and includes a free 66-page book, Giro Tales, to help bring that rich history to life. It's all you need to get fully immersed in this most 'vertically challenging' of stage races.

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The guide is also available electronically for iPad and iPhone users via the Procycling magazine app.