The Giro d'Italia is one of the great bike tours along with the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana. It's a long distance road bicycle race for professional cyclists from around the world. Each year a variety of different teams are invited and this year there are 23 teams battling for the title at Giro d'Italia 2011.

The Giro d'Italia is a challenging and long race. It begins in Torino with a team trial on May 7 and ends with an individual time trial in Milan on May 29th. The Giro d'Italia itself stretches 3498 kilometers and is comprised of 4 flat stages, 6 medium mountain stages, 8 mountain stages, and 8 mountain top finishes. Like its sister races, the Giro d'Italia is a competition for the best of the best.

Though it's not easy to follow each leg of the race, there are many places for you to stay along the way and keep up with the action. When the race comes through Florence, it's best to have a spot picked out early to make sure you get a good view.

Find a Florence hotel close to the action so you have a short walk to the race!

What: Giro d’Italia 2011
Where: From Torino to Milan
When: May 7-29, 2011
URL: http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/