A CYCLING: THE 2025 GIRO MAGLIA AZZURRAY AND ITS WINNER LORENZO FORTUNATO ARRIVE AT THE GHISALLO — THE MUSEUM CELEBRATES ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC JERSEYS OF THE CORSA ROSA
Magreglio (CO), June 9, 2025 – On Wednesday, June 11, the Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum will welcome one of the most significant symbols of the Giro d’Italia: the Blue Jersey, awarded to the winner of the King of the Mountains classification. The star of the event will be Lorenzo Fortunato, champion of the 2025 climbers’ classification and a true embodiment of an attacking Giro, which concluded on June 1 in Rome.
Fortunato, born in Bologna in 1996, won the Blue Jersey with determination and consistency, excelling on the Giro’s toughest climbs and demonstrating a rare combination of athletic talent and historical awareness. His visit to the Ghisallo is not only a celebratory moment but also a gesture of respect towards a place that houses the world’s largest collection of Pink Jerseys and cycling memorabilia.
The Maglia Azzurra, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum for the 23rd consecutive year, has been the official symbol of the King of the Mountains classification since 2012, replacing the historic Green Jersey. Fortunato’s presence and his Maglia Azzurra at the museum mark a symbolic chapter in the timeless story between the Giro and its mountains, reaffirming the Ghisallo as the beating heart of cycling heritage both in Italy and internationally.
WHAT DOES THE MAGLIA AZZURRA RAPRESENT?
The Maglia Azzurra of the Giro d’Italia is awarded to the leader of the King of the Mountains classification (Gran Premio della Montagna, GPM). This is the rider who accumulates the most points on the climbs throughout the race, based on their difficulty levels (4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st category, and the “Cima Coppi”).
Introduced in 2012, the Maglia Azzurra replaced the green jersey, preserving the prestige of the King of the Mountains title. Since 2003, the official sponsor of the classification has been Banca Mediolanum, which chose the blue color to align it with the brand’s visual identity.
THE MAGLIA AZZURRA AND ITS CHAMPIONS
In recent years, the Maglia Azzurra has been worn by great climbing specialists:
- 2025: Lorenzo Fortunato
- 2024: Tadej Pogačar
- 2023: Giulio Ciccone
Among all-time champions, the record for most King of the Mountains titles is held by José Manuel Fuente, with 4 consecutive victories between 1971 and 1974. Other legendary riders who have won this classification—sometimes wearing the green jersey—include Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, and Marco Pantani.
THE GHISALLO CYCLING MUSEUM: A TEMPLE OF CYCLING
Located in Magreglio, above Bellagio, the Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum is one of the most visited destinations for cycling enthusiasts worldwide. Overlooking the famous sanctuary dedicated to cyclists, the museum houses the largest collection of Pink Jerseys, along with historic bicycles, trophies, and memorabilia from the greatest champions of past and present.
Until September, the Museum and its Foundation are focusing on an exhibition dedicated to Eddy Merckx’s 80th birthday, celebrating the all-time cycling legend. Featuring memorabilia, jerseys, bikes, voices, writers, and even a documentary film, the exhibition tells the story of an unparalleled career.
The arrival of Fortunato’s Maglia Azzurra further enriches the Ghisallo Cycling Museum’s heritage, celebrating the unbreakable bond between the Giro d’Italia and its climbs, and between the competitive spirit of today and the memory of heroic cycling.
