Varied 2013 Giro

The route features three time trials over 90km in total including one much awaited mountainous uphill effort, the 'cronoscalata', and two gruelling high mountain stages in a very demanding third week that should suit the pure climbers.

Team Sky head coach Shane Sutton has suggested Wiggins should focus on the Giro and the Tour of Spain this year so he can retire a winner of all three grand Tours and the Olympic time trial gold medallist could be tempted to ride the Giro.

The race should also suit the abilities of five-times Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador, who won in Spain earlier this month after coming back from a doping ban, though he is likely to skip the Italian event to focus on the Tour de France.

The first effort against the clock will be a team time trial on the island of Ischia in the second stage, then a 55.5km individual time trial in the eighth stage.

The 2013 Giro is likely to be decided in the final week in the uphill time trial 18th stage plus the 19th and 20th stages before the final day, not ending in Milan as usual but in Brescia at the conclusion of a flat ride.

It will be followed by another climbing finish at top of the Val Martello and yet another one up the much feared Tre Cime Lavaredo.

The route for the 2013 Tour de France will be unveiled on October 24 and is expected to heavily favour pure climbers.

May 4. Stage 1: Naples-Naples, 156 km

May 5. Stage 2: Ischia-Forio, 17.4 km, team time trial

May 6. Stage 3: Sorrento-Marina di Ascea, 212 km

May 7. Stage 4: Policastro Bussentino-Serra San Bruno, 244 km

May 8. Stage 5: Costenza-Matera, 199 km

May 9. Stage 6: Mola di Bari-Margherita di Savoya, 154 km

May 10. Stage 7: San Salvo-Pescara, 162 km

May 11. Stage 8: Gabicce Mare-Saltara, 55.5 km, individual time trial

May 12: Stage 9: San Sepolcro-Florence, 181 km

May 13. Rest day

May 14. Stage 10: Cordenons-Altopiano del Montasio, 167 km

May 15. Stage 11: Tarvisio-Vajont, 184 km

May 16. Stage 12: Longarone-Trevisio, 127 km

May 17. Stage 13: Busseto-Cherasco, 242 km

May 18. Stage 14: Cervere-Bardonecchia, 156 km

May 19. Stage 15: Cesana Torinese-Col du Galibier (France), 150 km

May 20. Rest day

May 21. Stage 16: Valloire (France)-Ivrea, 237 km

May 22. Stage 17: Caravaggio-Vicenza, 203 km

May 23. Stage 18: Mori-Polsa, 19.4 km, individual time trial

May 24. Stage 19: Ponte di Legno-Val Martello, 138 km

May 25. Stage 20: Silandro-Tre Cime di Lavaredo, 202 km

May 26. Stage 21: Riese Pio X-Brescia, 199 km