Giro d'Italia: The Game

Ghenos Games, Rio Grande Games · Board game · 2009
10.0 Ludopedia 7.1 BGG 2–10 · best 4 45–120 min Weight 2.6/5
Buy · from US$ 37.95
10.0 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy the thrill of cycling races and want a board game experience that accurately simulates the strategy and drama of the Giro d'Italia, this game is for you! It's an enhanced version of Leader 1, focused on the Italian race, with plenty of replayability thanks to the modular board and components that make you feel part of the peloton. Ideal for those seeking a tactical challenge and who enjoy resource management in a competitive environment.

Highlights
  • Faithful cycling simulation
  • Modular board, high replayability
  • Tactical energy management
  • Immersive components
  • Race excitement
Keep in mind
  • Initial learning curve
  • Better with more players
  • Some components with stickers
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to cycle through Italy with Giro d'Italia: The Game, a board game experience that puts you at the heart of the famous cycling race! This game is an evolution of Leader 1, but with a full focus on the excitement and challenges of the Giro d'Italia. You and your friends will simulate the most iconic stages, passing through historic cities like Venice, Milan, Rome, and Florence, facing the pressure of the Dolomites and testing the cyclists' endurance. The game is a celebration of the race's centenary, promising a memorable journey. The box is packed with components to build your own track: twenty-one route hexagons to create varied courses, a general classification hexagon to track performance, and fifteen riders divided into five teams, each with three members. To manage the race, you'll have sixteen general classification tokens, a peloton that can be placed on a card stand, and a peloton leader token. Luck and events are controlled by two twelve-sided dice – one for peloton movement (with stickers for values of 3, 4, and 5) and another for unexpected events. Additionally, thirty-six 'feed zone' tiles (yellow, red, and green) are crucial for energy management, which is controlled by an 'energy table' block. Eleven additional tokens (three feed zone, two time bonus, and six mountain climb category), twelve reminder tables, and fifteen special cards complete the package, ensuring a rich and strategic simulation of professional cycling.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–10 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 OK
7 OK
8 OK
9 OK
10 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Country: Italy Game: Leader 1 Sports: Bicycling / Cycling Sports: Giro d'Italia
Publisher Ghenos Games, Rio Grande Games
Designer Alain Ollier, Christophe Leclercq
Artist Tony Rochon

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

635owners
97wishlist
21want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can participate and what is the average game duration?
Giro d'Italia: The Game is super versatile, accommodating 2 to 10 players. Games can vary quite a bit, lasting between 45 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of participants and familiarity with the rules.
What is the complexity level of the game?
With a BGG weight of 2.5517/5, it falls into the medium complexity category. It's not a super light game, but it's not a dense eurogame either. It offers a good balance between strategy and accessibility.
What makes the board 'modular' and how does it affect the experience?
The board is made up of 21 route hexagons that you rearrange each game. This means that each race will have a different course, ensuring huge replayability and always new scenarios to explore and plan your strategies.
Is the game just about luck or does it require strategy?
While event and movement dice add an element of luck, strategy is fundamental! You'll need to manage your cyclists' energy, plan your moves in different stages (mountain, flat), and make tactical decisions to position your team and aim for victory.
What are the main components of the game?
The box is packed! It includes route and classification hexagons, 15 riders in 5 teams, classification and peloton tokens, 12-sided dice for movement and events, feed zone tiles, an energy table block, and special cards. Everything for a complete immersion in the race.
Who is this game best suited for?
It's perfect for fans of racing games, cycling enthusiasts, and those who enjoy sports simulations. If you like managing teams, tactical planning, and don't mind a bit of luck, you'll have a lot of fun with the excitement of the Giro d'Italia.

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