Length: 3,400 kilometres
Number of stages: 21
Average stage distance: 162.2 kms
Number of mountain finishes: seven
Start stage: Naples, May 4 (first start there since 1996)
End stage: Brescia, May 26
Prize money: €1.38-million ($1.82-million)
Expected number of riders: 207
Oldest rider: Stefano Garzelli, 39 (Italy)
Why the pink theme: It's the colour of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian sports newspaper that sponsors the race
French connection: The Giro dips across the French border on May 19, entering Tour de France territory, where riders climb the 18-km Col du Galibier
Chinese connection: Ji Cheng is China's first Giro competitor
Steepest average grade: 12.2 per cent, stage 12, Longarone-Treviso
Favourites: Bradley Wiggins (Britain), Vincenzo Nibali (Italy), Ryder Hesjedal (Canada)
Others to watch: Cadel Evans (Australia), Mark Cavendish (Britain); Michele Scarponi (Italy), Robert Gesink (Netherlands), Samuel Sanchez (Spain)