The Giro d'Italia kicks off this week in Bulgaria, making its way through Italy to the traditional finish in Rome. Last year's edition saw Isaac del Toro establish dominance before being overtaken by Simon Yates on the Colle delle Finestre, marking a dramatic end to the race. However, with Yates retiring and Tadej Pogacar focusing on the Spring Classics, a new crop of contenders emerges.

Key Withdrawals:

• Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) withdraws due to illness, a major loss for the team and the race.
• Mikel Landa misses out with a fractured pelvis from a crash, after previously hoping for a strong showing.
• Richard Carapaz is recovering from surgery, opting to target the Tour de France instead.

Top Contenders:

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) - The favorite, having won both the Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya this season.
2. Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - The home favorite, fresh off a win at the Tour of the Alps.
3. Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - A former winner, looking to capitalize on his experience despite early-season illness.
4. Egan Bernal (Netcompany-Ineos) - Aiming for a return to form after a serious crash in 2022.
5. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) - The likely leader for UAE, coming off a stage race victory.
6. Thymen Arensman (Netcompany-Ineos) - A promising young climber with potential for a podium finish.
7. Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) - Fourth last year, hoping to leverage a strong team.
8. Enric Mas (Movistar) - A seasoned rider with multiple podium finishes at the Vuelta.
9. Ben O’Connor - Known for his resilience and experience in Grand Tours.
10. Michael Storer - An under-the-radar contender, looking to capitalize on mountain stages.
11. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) - An emerging climber with strong recent performances.

As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on these contenders as they navigate the challenges ahead.