Tour of the Alps

The race is usually decided by cumulative climbing across five stages rather than a single summit finish. Stages typically start in valley towns like Innsbruck or Bolzano and climb into the high Alps, with multiple categorized ascents per day. The winner needs to limit losses on the hardest climbs, recover well overnight, and avoid tactical isolation when the race fragments on steep gradients. Because the field includes Giro-bound GC riders and climbers chasing form, the racing is often controlled early and aggressive late. The race has to be shaped before the final acceleration, not simply left to the last decisive section on its own. Teams that can set tempo on long climbs and protect their leader through multiple summit finishes tend to control the outcome.