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Lochdown is the third episode of Season 4 of The Grand Tour . It aired on 30th July 2021.

• 5 Production
• 6 Promotion/Marketing

Synopsis [ ]

Did you wonder what this trio were up to during the pandemic? Well, they took some classic American cars and went on a grand tour adventure through the Scottish coastal roads. There are overheated engines, shouting, plenty of tea, and a whole load of classic car chaos.

Teasers [ ]

Andy Wilman shared a teaser of the intro to the Episode on April 16th, 2021. It shows views of Scotland landmarks and more. In addition, a teaser was released on July 14th, 2021 through the show's new TikTok account. This revealed the name of the episode and properly confirmed that it was official.

The cars used are from America to "show" Scotland what they're missing out on. The American Classic muscle cars were used for the second part of the episode, while the terrible american cars were used in a "Cold War revival".

Summary [ ]

Warning, Spoilers below!

The show starts with gorgeous shots of Scottish landscape. The trio introduce their cars and find out they must travel from Edinburgh to the Outer Hebrides. The trio struggle through the cobbled streets of the city but eventually find their way out. Next, they test their cars against a benchmark time at the Knockhill race track. The trio realise that they can not stay in hotels due to the lockdown, and therefore have to sleep in caravans. As usual, they modify these caravans. However, Hammond and Clarkson destroy their caravans and flood May's one in a prank so they stay the night in a Scottish castle.

The next morning, they switch to classic muscle cars to pay tribute to them. However, wanting to balance out these amazing cars, they showcase the worst in a "recreation" of the Cold War. This is done with a demolition derby of three rubbish cars from the Soviet Union and three from America.

The trio want to find a community that would enjoy the style and flamboyannce of the American cars, embarassing to Europeans. So they drive up to North Uist, but find a body of water in the way. To get over, they build a pontoon-like bridge and reach the American community. However, they are disappointed.

Production [ ]

The episode was filmed in October 2020 over the Scottish Highlands, starting at Edinburgh.

Promotion/Marketing [ ]

For this special, the trio took a different approach to advertising the special's forthcoming release. They pretended as if they had no promotional material (although images were used frequently on their social medias throughout July) and asked the fans to make some images, videos and films to do it instead. This was done through a Twitter Hastag (#Lochdown)

Gallery [ ]

• 1 Hammond's Rimac Crash
• 2 Mike Skinner
• 3 Enviro-mental

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown

• Episode aired Jul 30, 2021

The presenters are celebrating the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows, as they road trip around Scotland, creating chaos on the streets of Edinburgh and building a homemade floatin... Read all The presenters are celebrating the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows, as they road trip around Scotland, creating chaos on the streets of Edinburgh and building a homemade floating bridge across the Hebridean sea. The presenters are celebrating the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows, as they road trip around Scotland, creating chaos on the streets of Edinburgh and building a homemade floating bridge across the Hebridean sea.

• Phil Churchward
• Jeremy Clarkson
• Richard Hammond
• 77 User reviews
• 2 Critic reviews

• Self - Presenter
• (as Fat Frank Clarkson)

• (as Clint Hammond)

• (as Elvis May)

• Self - Driver
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia The pontoon bridge constructed by the National Pontoon Adventure Consultancy with some assistance from Clarkson, May and Hammond spanned around 1,000 feet from the coast near Griminish, North Uist to the nearby uninhabited tidal island of Vallay. The "spiky building" Clarkson suggests visiting with Hammond - supposedly the site of the fictitious town of Hammondsburg - is in real life Taigh Mòr, which in English means "Big House". The well-appointed Edwardian mansion boasted running water piped in from North Uist as well as fireplaces in every room. It was built in 1905 for Scottish textile manufacturer, historian and landscape photographer Erskine Beveridge, one of the heirs to the estate of an internationally-renowned tableware manufacturer. After his passing in 1920, the property was inherited by his son George, who drowned in 1944 while attempting to make the crossing from North Uist to Vallay at high tide. With no heirs, the mansion was abandoned soon after his death and its staff dismissed. In the three-quarters of a century since it has gradually become a ruin, and its story has been documented by Scottish-Indian writer, musician and academic Arun Sood, whose grandmother Katie MacNaughton was one of the last to leave the island.
• Connections References Cannon (1971)
• Soundtracks What Makes A Good Man? (uncredited) Written and Performed by The Heavy

User reviews 77

• Jul 30, 2021
• July 30, 2021 (United Kingdom)
• United Kingdom
• Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Swindon, England, UK (Stand in for American Car Commune, Outer Hebrides)
• Expectation Entertainment
• Television Interactive Network Agency
• W. Chump & sons
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 30 minutes

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The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown

Confined to the UK by Covid, Jeremy, Richard and James embark on a Lockdown Special to celebrate the great 70s American cars they saw in TV shows as kids, and to find out just why it was, given their dads were all driving terrible Austin Allegros, that these amazing vehicles never took off in Britain. 

At the wheel of a Cadillac Coupe De Ville as driven by Elvis, a Lincoln Continental as driven by Jock Ewing of Dallas fame, and a Buick Riviera as piloted by Clint Eastwood, the three hosts take their iconic Detroit machines on a road trip across the stunning scenery of Scotland. And even though they are on home turf this lockdown journey turns out to be one of their funniest, most action packed and most charming adventures in years.

Along the way they cause chaos on the ancient streets of Edinburgh, enjoy a hilarious, tyre torturing, high octane showdown with Abbie on the racetrack, before heading off to stage an epic Cold War shootout between the worst Soviet and American cars ever made. They also find themselves homeless in the Highlands after a series of housing-based crash bang wallop catastrophes, but still find time to use classic muscle cars to put an infamous Pizza Express journey to the test. After receiving a text from Mr Wilman, Richard, James and Jeremy modify their cars and head to the Outer Hebrides for one of their toughest challenges yet. At the far reaches of Scotland, they must build a homemade floating bridge across the Hebridean sea, capable of supporting them and their massive cars on a perilous journey to their final destination.  

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson, James May

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Review: “The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown”

By david castro | aug 4, 2021.

After a long hiatus, due to Covid,  “The Grand Tour” is back with their latest adventure, “Lochdown”. In this endeavor they find themselves in Scotland with three large American cars from a bygone era, the 70s, when gas was cheaper and the concept of overweight and under-powered land yachts made sense across the pond.

For their latest adventure Jeremy Clarkson cruises in a Lincoln Continental Mark V, Richard Hammond in a Buick Riviera, and James May rolls in a Cadillac Coupe De Ville. It’s an awesome selection of vehicles for our hosts that were raised on 70s American TV but never had the opportunity to own such ostentatious cars.

Flashy, impractical and filled with too much velour the cars are ill equipped to navigate the narrow roads in Scotland, but no bother as they make do and hijinks ensue. In the same vein as their previous work on “Top Gear” and the previous seasons of “The Grand Tour”, the trio maintain their timeless chemistry and quick wit.

Due to Covid and the global shutdown “Lochdown” was delayed after initial filming started last summer. The episode is a poignant reminder of the early days of this tragic plague that has affected all of us.

As I reviewed earlier, “The Grand Tour” is the best car/motorsports show on Amazon, but as a longtime “Top Gear” fan the current show with Clarkson, Hammond and May is not the same as their previous BBC work. This isn’t me throwing shade at the current show and reminiscing fondly of yesterday.

My perspective of “The Grand Tour”, specifically the first couple of years, was that it was a “Top Gear” knockoff but didn’t have the same mojo as their previous work. I figure that executive producer Andy Wilman, who previously worked on “Top Gear” and helped develop the show’s style and flair, took a little time to get “The Grand Tour” going with its own panache.

After season two the show got its legs and here we are with some legitimately funny entertainment. The previous format in the tent was kind of painful, “Celebrity Brain Crash” specifically, but the addition of Abbie Eaton was a dope choice for the show.

By dropping the tent and going to a more long-verse format was pure genius. For me, the best facets of “Top Gear” were the films and adventures but I always loved “Star In A Reasonably Priced Car” because it made realize that I am not the worst driver in the world.

Long format episodes (Are they considered films?) like “Lochdown” and “Seaman” show that the fellas are better suited for longer adventures where obstacles lead to greater dialogue and comedy. With their ages increasing I don’t think we will have “The Gran Tour” much longer and James May was very blunt about this concern in a recent interview.

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“I’ve got a few things left to do. It probably won’t be for another 10 years let’s be honest.” – James May 

The notion of the trio riding off into the sunset after one last adventure is a major bummer to think about, but it makes me appreciate that much more when a new episode is released. I thoroughly enjoyed “Lochdown” and I recommend it to anyone, regardless if they are car people.

Simply put, “Lochdown” is entertaining and well worth a spin. Go check it out.

Lochdown - The Grand Tour Scotland Special: Everything you need to know as it starts streaming

The much-anticipated episode that was filmed in Scotland during lockdown is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

• 14:23, 30 JUL 2021
• Updated 14:29, 30 JUL 2021

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Fans of The Grand Tour have been clamouring for months to find out when the most recent special will air.

Filmed during lockdown after the pandemic put paid to plans to film in Russia, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond were spotted driving around the Highlands in American muscle cars.

Now, it seems fans of the hit show will finally get to see what the trio has been up to on their adventures in "MacScotland" as Clarkson calls it, with the much anticipated special streaming on Amazon Prime from today.

So what can GT fans expect from the new Scotland special?

This week's top Scotland Now stories

Where can fans watch The Grand Tour Presents: ­Lochdown?

The Grand Tour Presents: ­Lochdown began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on July 30 from midnight GMT, meaning fans can watch it now.

Those with a subscription to the streaming can watch now, while those without will need to subscribe to a 30-day free trial on the streaming platform, with membership costing £7.99 per month after.

What can fans expect from the new special?

Starting out on what promises to be the "most beautiful drive they have ever done", as expected from these three the trip quickly descends into chaos.

Taking Classic American cars from the 70s (and their childhood) as their inspiration, the new tour sees them behind the wheels of a Cadillac Coupe de Ville, a Lincoln Continental and a Buick Riviera.

May was pictured driving the Cadillac, while Hammond was in the Buick, and Clarkson was seen behind the wheel of a Lincoln.

The cast and crew apparently even had their own Covid-19 testing centre van for added safety on set.

Clarkson, 61, recently described the new mini-special as "an unplugged album", adding that it's a change of pace that "some people might quite like".

Speaking to PA he said: "People have been saying that my farming programme - because it's so gentle and down to earth and local - is better for it. So maybe they'll think the same of this Grand Tour."

What parts of Scotland will we see?

Beginning their journey in Berwick-upon-Tweed, they then head to the capital, before stopping off at places such as the picturesque Glentruim and Perthshire.

They then boarded their cars onto a Calmac ferry on their way to North Uist where the adventure finished up.

What did they get up to for the Lochdown Special?

The mischievous trio can be seen hitting the race track, driving over floating bridges (which they built themselves) and crashing caravans.

But it isn't long before Hammond is sinking boats, May is getting stuck and Clarkson is up to no good.

As Clarkson recently quipped: "When we're all three together, everything goes wrong."

It's the kind of high jinks fans expect from the three, and is sure to whet their appetite for the arrival of the third special in the Amazon hit show's fourth series.

How did shooting during the pandemic affect the show?

It's been reported that producers spent £50,000 on coronavirus tests on the ten-day shoot, while bosses at an Outer Hebrides hotel were forced to defend the show's stars following rumours of an 'after party' at their Benbecula accommodation which would have been in breach of coronavirus guidelines at the time.

James May told the RadioTimes.com that the shoot was still great fun, adding: " I mean we had to COVID proof everything, which meant the whole process was not very spontaneous at times,

"Often you have to disinfect things and the crews had to exist in bubbles, and we had to be two metres away from everybody else – but all this stuff wasn’t that terrible considering."

What's next?

With the current problems with travelling abroad, especially to Russia where they originally planned to shoot, it's now likely that the next release will be the second part of the UK double bill across England and Wales, which was recorded in April 2021 to be streamed later this year.

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'The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown' —everything you need to know

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown drops on Amazon Prime very soon.

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown will finally see the beloved motoring show returning to Amazon Prime in a double-bill special!

Confined to the UK by COVID-19, Jeremy, Richard and James headed up to Scotland to film a brand new special which is dedicated to celebrating the great American cars of the 1970s that they saw on TV when they were kids. Along the way, they learn why these cars ever really took off across the pond...

Despite being stuck in the UK, this promises to be one of the trio’s funniest and most action-packed adventures to date! Here’s everything you need to know about The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown ! 

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown release date

You don’t have much longer to wait to watch Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May back in action! The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown will be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, 30 July!

Which cars are they driving?  

In The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown, the three hosts will be at the wheels of a Cadillac Coupe De Ville (as driven by none other than Elvis Presley), a Lincoln Continental (driven by Jock Ewing from Dallas ), and a Buick Riviera (a favourite of Clint Eastwood).  

Where are they headed?

As the title implies, Jeremy, Richard and James are headed up to Scotland to take in some of the country’s breathtaking scenery. On their journey, they’ll also be causing chaos in Edinburgh as they try to force their muscle cars around the city’s ancient streets, and they’ll be taking part in another a tyre-screeching showdown with returning racing driver Abbie Eaton on the racetrack.

They’ll also be heading off to stage an epic Cold War shootout between the worst Soviet and American cars ever made, and will have to get inventive when they find themselves homeless in the Scottish highlands. 

As if that’s not enough, they’ll be modifying their muscle cars and taking them to the Outer Hebrides for one of the show’s toughest challenges yet! They’ll have to see whether a homemade floating bridge will be capable of supporting the weight of their massive cars on a perilous drive across the Hebridean sea to their final destination!

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown trailer

Amazon has released the official trailer for The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown, and it looks packed full of the usual antics that you'd expect from an episode of The Grand Tour !

It gives you a sneak preview of some of the mishaps that you can expect to enjoy on the latest tour, including caravan crashes, beautiful landscapes, roadside pranks and screeching tires!

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What Did The End Of The Grand Tour: Lochdown Mean? Ending Explained

The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown has been released to mostly positive praise from fans as Jeremy Clarkson , Richard Hammond, and James May drove from Edinburgh to the Outer Hebrides in three classic American land yachts. 

But as the trio made their way to the final destination, a town made where they and like-minded people could enjoy the basic American parts of life like shooting and driving huge American cars, fans became confused as to what the ending actually meant.

They parked their cars, a Cadillac Coupe De Ville, a Lincoln Continental and a Buick Riviera, outside a pub and made their way inside. Asking for a Budweiser, they realised that wasn’t available, so instead settled in with a Tsingtao beer. Looking further at the menu for a meal, they also realised the food was Chinese. Looking up from their menu they realised the decor was Asian as well. But before any explanation, the episode ended.

So what does the ending mean?

A possible answer to this question was given to us by The Focus. 

“The ending of The Grand Tour : Lochdown appears to be a comment how China is overtaking the United States in global business,” it said.

“The two countries have been at the forefront of trade and exports for years, but it looks as if China is slowly increasing in dominance.” [Sic] 

Fans on Twitter were keen to add their opinions as well, with one saying the following:

“Excellent work on #Lochdown. In my humble opinion the best #GrandTour episode of all time. #SPOILERALERT the sports bar ending speaks volumes of the changes happening in what was once a free country.”

Jeremy Clarkson Reveals He’s “Constantly Editing” Himself While Fearing He’ll Be Cancelled

Another said: “Ok. Just finished Grand Tour: Lochdown. The ending is *quite* the commentary on what’s happening to America. Did not see that coming. Well done fellas.”

Another possibility is shedding light on the fact that most American goods are actually produced in China, with The Focus saying the following:

“The volume of imports from China increased in 2020 in big consumer categories like toys, games and sporting goods (up four per cent) and non-wool/cotton apparel (up 40 per cent).”

I’m not sure we’ll ever get an official confirmation as to what the ending of Lochdown truly meant, but it’s open-ended ending has certainly got people talking. And that can only be a good thing. 

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‘Grand Tour – Lochdown’ review: it’s great to be back

T he Grand Tour and the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May recently graced our screens again for the new Grand Tour special, Lochdown’ – an obvious play on the horrific reality we have lived under the last year and a half. It’s great to see them back again, though on a smaller scale this time. But it is no less enjoyable, with a twist ending that’s so true it hurts.

Lochdown is a massive improvement upon the last special, A Massive Hunt  which felt too contrived and scripted for my liking – which was odd as the trio are usually great at hiding the show’s scripted nature. Clarkson’s joke to Hammond about ‘jumping the shark’ in 2013 felt fitting at that point. It was fun and I did enjoy it, and it was visually stunning, but severely lacking.

Lochdown  has salvaged The Grand Tour –  it was much more fun, and the humour and chemistry were back on point. It feels more at home, with the three now over middle-aged idiots romping through Scotland. The special sees Clarkson, Hammond, and May take three classic American cars on a grand tour through Scotland, with the dreary weather you’d expect, as well as destroying American and Soviet cars in typical fashion. There’s no escaping the hulking elephant in the room – the lockdowns and other restrictions we have suffered under, which the title is an obvious play on – which forces Clarkson into his least favourite past-time, caravanning.

However, they do very well at filming an episode that only has a few tongue-in-cheek references to Covid-19, lockdowns, and the rare sighting of the crew in masks. While the title, premise, and production are intrinsically tied up with the misery of a year with Covid-19 and lockdowns, the special does a great job of making light of it and producing an episode that could be mistaken for an old Top Gear episode.

Watching Clarkson get his Lincoln Continental MK V, Hammond his Buick Riviera Boattail, and May his Cadillac Coupe De Ville through the back and beyond of Scotland is pure fun.

Watching Clarkson get his Lincoln Continental MK V, Hammond his Buick Riviera Boattail, and May his Cadillac Coupe De Ville through the back and beyond of Scotland is pure fun. Even the small stuff like getting stuck in the narrow roads of Edinburgh and the natural banter is refreshing to watch. Then, after their time on the test track and realising how heavy and slow their American cars are, Mr Wilman contacts them to inform them about some random virus or something going around and therefore they can’t stay in hotels. He gives them all caravans, much to their obvious delight.

After a hilarious case of Clarkson’s caravan gaining sentience and flying off the road, and Hammond’s falling off the side of the road, we see them go to find the nearest castle – as they interpret the no-hotel rule as not applying to random ‘abandoned’ castles. It does gleefully show the absurdity and unevenness of the rules we’ve had this last year. The humour is back too. Clarkson’s constant and iconic jokes against the Americans are back, not least because the whole premise is about why American cars didn’t catch on in Britain and Europe. However, they do all ponder keeping their cars, sparking a reminiscence about how few cars they keep, such as Hammond’s iconic Oliver. The Scots don’t escape either, with resident cook May, fresh off his cooking programme, serving up breakfast and dinner in the traditional Scottish way of being entirely deep-fried.

Practical jokes are back with Hammond and Clarkson using a fire engine to pump May’s caravan full of water, much to his surprise when it sweeps him off his feet when he nonchalantly opens the door. The dreary weather and jokes about it make this feel like a Top Gear episode of old, as does the classic May angry shout of “CLARKSOOOON” after yet another prank.

Clarkson, Hammond, and May give us a much-needed unadulterated dose of fun in terrible times.

The challenges are good fun, with a muddy competition to see if the Americans or Soviets made the worst cars. Yet for all Clarkson’s hatred of his Chrysler PT Cruiser, he ends up winning and losing. Seeing them struggle over the concept that to win they had to lose reminds me of the Chernobyl challenge. It culminates in a very angry Clarkson winning and therefore losing.

With the final stretch, they realise how foreign their American cars and Hammond’s American conversion, gun and all, is to Britain, so they set off for Wilman’s American enclave in the Outer Hebrides. The gags and banter along the way are great, including Clarkson’s disgust at Hammond taking up golf.

Building a bridge to the American town has another staple of a sinking ship – Hammond really does have an unlucky touch. I’m surprised they managed to make it over the winding and sagging bridge. I expected when they got to the place it would be a typical “and on that bombshell” moment of finding it either didn’t exist or it was a massive disappointment. Instead, expectations subverted, they do arrive, through the magic of editing, at the American paradise – although with an atmosphere reminiscent of the towns in Hot Fuzz and The World’s End . For good reason, something isn’t quite right in this American sports bar. As a final gag, we find out China has already taken over this brand-new community. Quite the open-ended, timely, hilarious, but depressing commentary on the world.

Clarkson, Hammond, and May give us a much-needed unadulterated dose of fun in terrible times. They deftly resurrect the joy of old and give us a special that is simultaneously steeped in the last year and would fit neatly in any of their old series. It’s great to have them back, and I look forward to their next outing!

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Giro d'Italia 2024: Preview, full schedule and how to watch live

The Giro d’Italia 2024 is about to kick off the Grand Tour season in men’s road cycling .

On Saturday 4 May, Venaria Reale will host the opening stage of the 107 th edition of the Corsa Rosa that will see its conclusion three weeks later in Rome on Sunday 26 May.

All eyes will be on the Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar , who aims to become the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to achieve the Giro-Tour double.

Reigning champion and Olympic time trial gold medallist, Primoz Roglic , will not be defending his crown, as he has got his eyes set on the Tour de France.

The 2024 edition of the Italian Grand Tour features gruelling mountain stages in the Alps, gravel roads in Tuscany and more than 70 kilometres of time trial. The winner will lift the prestigious Trofeo Senza Fine (Endless Trophy) and wear the coveted Maglia Rosa in the Italian capital.

This year's race will cover a total of 3400.8 kilometres , making it the shortest edition in 45 years.

Find everything you need to know about the Giro d’Italia 2024 below, including the riders to look out for and how to watch the event live.

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Who are the riders to watch at the Giro d’Italia 2024?

Pink jersey (general classification).

There is one overwhelming favourite for the Giro d’Italia 2024, and that is Tadej Pogacar .

Fresh off his second Liège–Bastogne–Liège title in impressive fashion, the two-time Tour de France winner is arriving to Italy in top shape.

Pogacar started his season by conquering the gravel roads of Strade Bianche , riding 81 kilometres solo to claim victory in Siena.

At Volta a Catalunya , the Slovenian swept four out of seven stages, securing the overall victory and sending a clear message to his rivals at the Giro about who the man to beat is.

Geraint Thomas suffered heartbreak at last year’s Giro d’italia, narrowly missing out on the overall victory by just 14 seconds.

The 2018 Tour de France champion was leading the race going into the penultimate stage, only to relinquish the pink jersey to Primoz Roglic after the Slovenian's formidable performance in the individual time trial.

The INEOS Grenadiers leader has some unfinished business with the Corsa Rosa and will try to pose a challenge to Pogacar.

Among the outsiders is Australia's Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R), who finished fourth in the 2021 Tour de France.

This year, the 28-year-old has consistently finished within the top five in week-long stage races. At the Giro d'Italia warm-up race, the Tour of the Alps, he was the runner-up behind the former Maglia Rosa wearer Juan Pedro Lopez , who also will be lining up at the start line in Venaria Reale.

French veteran Romain Bardet recently said that he is at his best level in years and is convinced he can challenge for the podium.

A second place at the Liège–Bastogne–Liège behind Pogacar was a boost of morale for the 33-year-old, who has not been on a Grand Tour podium since 2018, when he finished third at the Tour de France.

Daniel Martínez will lead the BORA - hansgrohe team. The Colombian climber is no longer in the shadow of INEOS stars Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal , following his move to the German team ahead of this season.

In 2021, Martínez was a strong domestique for compatriot Bernal and helped him secure the overall victory. He also achieved his best overall result in a Grand Tour by finishing in the top five that year. With the absence of teammate Roglic, it is up to Martínez to secure a top result.

“The Killer Bees” Team Visma|Lease a Bike made history in 2023, becoming the first team to claim all three Grand Tours in a single year. Although a repetition of the historic achievement looks difficult, the Dutch team have put their faith in 21-year-old prodigy Cian Uijtdebroeks .

The Belgian has been under the wings of reigning Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard at the O Gran Camiño and Tirreno-Adriatico. Now he faces the ultimate test as Grand Tour captain.

Cyclamen jersey (points classification)

This year’s course is more sprinter-friendly than usual, featuring eight expected mass sprint finishes. Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek will aim to defend the maglia ciclamino (mauve jersey for the points classification) that he secured last year.

However, he will face a fierce competition for the mauve jersey as several of the world's top sprinters will travel to Italy.

Soudal Quick-Step will fully support Remco Evenepoel at the Tour de France, giving Tim Merlier the opportunity to pursue success at the Giro.

The Belgian has been one of the fastest sprinters during the first part of the season, winning three stages at the UAE Tour, the Nokere Koerse, and the sprinters’ classic Scheldeprijs.

Another challenge will come from Australian Kaden Groves . In 2023, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider added stage wins at both the Giro and the Vuelta a España, where he also left with the green jersey.

Biniam Girmay will be back on Italian soil, where he outsprinted Mathieu van der Poel in the Giro two years ago to take his first Grand Tour stage victory. The Eritrean looks to be close to his form from 2022.

Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij will finally get his Grand Tour debut. The 22-year-old beat Mads Pedersen twice to claim two stage wins at the Paris-Nice in March and is one of the most promising sprinters in the peloton.

Five-time Vuelta a España stage winner Fabio Jakobsen is set to race his first Giro and can complete the set of Grand Tour wins, having already secured a stage victory at the Tour de France in 2022.

Will Filippo Ganna sprint for stage wins again? The Italian time trial specialist was fighting in the bunch sprints at last year’s Vuelta a España and showed a new side of his talent.

Despite not having shone in the last couple of years, Caleb Ewan and Fernando Gaviria are both multiple Grand Tour stage winners and they have the power to be competitive in the bunch sprints.

Blue jersey (mountains classification)

Unlike in the Tour de France, the winner of the mountains classification in the Giro d’Italia is usually not the same as the winner of the general classification.

Thibaut Pinot , who has since retired, clinched the blue jersey in the previous edition while finishing fifth overall.

However, the breakaway riders often view for the mountains classification.

A potential contender is Simon Geschke of Cofidis. The German rider was close to seal the polka dot jersey at the Tour de France in 2022, but ultimately Jonas Vingegaard ended up with both the yellow and polka dot jersey.

Other names to watch are Britain's Simon Carr , who just won a stage and the mountains classification at the Tour of the Alps, and Dutchman Koen Bouwman , who is aiming for his second blue jersey after claiming it in 2022.

Key stages of the Giro d’Italia 2024

Five stages are singled out by cycling experts as the most decisive for the Giro d'Italia 2024.

The first one arrives already on stage two , which is the earliest summit finish in 35 years. It is a true climbing test, which takes the peloton to Santuario di Oropa (6.2% over 11.8km) and will give an early indication of who will be the main general classification contenders.

A 40.6-kilometre time trial awaits the peloton on stage seven . The course is technical and the uphill finish should shake up the top ten. Some will see it as an oppornunity to gain time, while others will try to limit their losses.

Stage 15 is the queen stage of the 2024 Giro d’Italia. Containing 5,200 metres of elevation gain over 220 kilometres, it is a brutal day in the mountains. Hopefully, snowfall will not affect this blockbuster Alpine stage.

The riders get a rest day following the queen stage, but already on stage 16 , climbing legs will be tested again. It includes the Passo dello Stelvio , the Cima Coppi of this year’s race. At an elevation of 2,757 metres it is the second highest pass in the Alps.

The lack of oxygen at high altitude will make the peloton suffer. With over 100 kilometres remaining from the summit of Stelvio, the favourites who might fall behind still have the chance to catch up before the final ascents to Passo Pinei and Monte Pana.

Stage 20 , the penultimate stage before the procession around the streets of Rome, promises a decisive battle in the mountains for the final general classification. Two gruelling ascents of Monte Grappa - 18.2 kilometres at 8.1% - will determine who earns the right to wear the pink jersey in Rome and hoist the Endless Trophy .

Day-by-day route of the Giro d’Italia 2024

Saturday 4 May, stage 1: Venaria Reale-Torino, medium mountains, 140 km ⭐⭐⭐

Sunday 5 May, stage 2: San Francesco al Campo–Santuario di Oropa (Biella), medium mountains, 161 km ⭐⭐⭐

Monday 6 May, stage 3: Novara-Fossano, hilly, 166 km ⭐⭐

Tuesday 7 May, stage 4: Acqui Terme-Andora, hilly, 190 km ⭐⭐

Wednesday 8 May, stage 5: Genova-Lucca, medium mountains,178 km ⭐⭐⭐

Thursday 9 May, stage 6: Viareggio-Rapolano Terme, medium mountains, 180 km ⭐⭐

Friday 10 May, stage 7: Foligno-Perugia, individual time trial, 40,6 km ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Saturday 11 May, stage 8: Spoleto-Prati di Tivo, high mountains,152 km ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sunday 12 May, stage 9: Avezzano-Napoli, medium mountains, 214 km ⭐⭐⭐

Monday 13 May: Rest day

Tuesday 14 May, stage 10: Pompei-Cusano Mutri (Bocca della Selva), medium mountains, 142 km ⭐⭐⭐

Wednesday 15 May, stage 11: Foiano di Val Fortore-Francavilla al Mare, hilly, 207 km ⭐⭐

Thursday 16 May, stage 12: Martinsicuro-Fano, medium mountains, 193 km ⭐⭐⭐

Friday 17 May, stage 13: Riccione-Cento, flat, 179 km ⭐

Saturday 18 May, stage 14: Castiglione delle Stiviere-Desenzano del Garda, individual time trial, 31,2 km ⭐⭐⭐

Sunday 19 May, stage 15: Manerba del Garda-Livigno (Mottolino), high mountains, 222 km ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Monday 20 May: Rest day

Tuesday 21 May, stage 16: Livigno-Santa Cristina Val Gardena (Monte Pana), high mountains, 202 km ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wednesday 22 May, stage 17: Selva di Val Gardena-Passo Brocon, high mountains, 159 km ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thursday 23 May, stage 18: Fiera di Primiero-Padova, hilly, 171 km ⭐⭐

Friday 24 May, stage 19: Mortegliano-Cima Sappada, medium mountains, 157 km ⭐⭐⭐

Saturday 25 May, stage 20: Alpago-Bassano del Grappa, high mountains, 181 km ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sunday 26 May, stage 21: Roma-Roma, flat, 122 km ⭐

How to watch the Giro d’Italia 2024

The Giro d'Italia 2024 will be shown live around the world. Here is a list of the official broadcast partners across different territories.

• Albania - Eurosport
• Andorra - Eurosport
• Austria - Eurosport
• Belarus - Eurosport
• Belgium - VRT/RTBF.be/RTL Belgium/VTM Medialaan/Eurosport
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - Eurosport
• Bulgaria- Eurosport
• Croatia - Eurosport
• Cyprus - Eurosport
• Czechia - Eurosport
• Denmark - Eurosport
• Estonia - Eurosport
• Finland - Eurosport
• France - La Chaine L’Equipe
• Georgia - Eurosport
• Germany - Eurosport
• Greece - Eurosport
• Hungary - Eurosport
• Iceland - Eurosport
• Ireland - Eurosport
• Israel - STARZPLAY/Eurosport
• Italy - Rai/Eurosport
• Latvia - Eurosport
• Liechtenstein - Eurosport
• Lithuania - Eurosport
• Luxembourg - Eurosport
• Malta - STARZPLAY/Eurosport
• Moldova - Eurosport
• Montenegro - Eurosport
• Netherlands - NOS/Eurosport
• North Macedonia - Eurosport
• Norway - Eurosport
• Poland - Eurosport
• Portugal - Eurosport
• Principality of Monaco - Eurosport
• Romania - Eurosport
• San Marino - Rai/Eurosport
• Serbia - Eurosport
• Slovakia - Eurosport
• Slovenia - Planet TV/Eurosport
• Spain - EITB/Eurosport
• Sweden - Eurosport
• Switzerland - SRG SSR/Eurosport
• Ukarine - Eurosport
• United Kingdom - Eurosport
• Vatican City - Rai/Eurosport
• Wales - S4C

North and Central America

• Canada - FloSports
• Dominican Republic - Eurosport
• United States - MAX USA/BeIN Sport

South America

• Argentina - + Claro/DirecTV
• Bolivia - + Claro/DirecTV
• Brazil - + Claro/DirecTV
• Chile - + Claro/DirecTV
• Colombia - + Claro/DirecTV/Caracol TV
• Ecuador - + Claro/DirecTV
• Guyana - DirecTV/Eurosport
• Paraguay - + Claro/DirecTV
• Peru - + Claro/DirecTV
• Suriname - + Claro/DirecTV
• The Caribbean - DirecTV
• Uruguay - + Claro/DirecTV
• Venezuela - + Claro/DirecTV
• Afghanistan - Eurosport
• Armenia - Eurosport
• Azerbaijan - Eurosport
• Bahrain - STARZPLAY
• Bangladesh - Eurosport
• Bhutan - Eurosport
• Cambodia - Eurosport
• People’s Republic of China - Zhibo.tv
• India - Eurosport
• Indonesia - Eurosport
• Iran - STARZPLAY
• Iraq - STARZPLAY
• Japan - J Sports
• Jordan - STARZPLAY
• Kazakhstan - Eurosport
• Kuwait - STARZPLAY
• Kyrgyzstan - Eurosport
• Lebanon - STARZPLAY
• Malaysia - Eurosport
• Maldives - Eurosport
• Mongolia - Eurosport
• Myanmar - Eurosport
• Nepal - Eurosport
• Oman - STARZPLAY
• Pakistan - Eurosport
• Philippines - Eurosport
• Qatar - STARZPLAY
• Russia - Eurosport
• Saudi Arabia - STARZPLAY
• Singapore - Eurosport
• Republic of Korea - Eurosport
• Sri Lanka - Eurosport
• Syria - STARZPLAY
• Chinese Taipei - Eurosport
• Türkiye - Eurosport
• United Arab Emirates - STARZPLAY
• Yemen - STARZPLAY
• Australia - SBS/Eurosport
• Papua New Guinea - Eurosport
• Algeria - STARZPLAY
• Djibouti - STARZPLAY
• Egypt - STARZPLAY
• Libya - STARZPLAY
• Morocco - STARZPLAY/Eurosport
• South Africa - Supersport
• Tunisia - STARZPLAY

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.