[1][2][3][4] [5] Hugo Koblet held the pink jersey up until the penultimate stage, when Coppi attacked and left him behind on the climb up the Stelvio Pass (included in the Giro for the first time), taking the lead and securing the final victory.

Sixteen teams were invited by the race organizers to participate in the 1953 edition of the Giro d'Italia.

[9] A La Liberté writer felt that young riders Giancarlo Astrua (Atala), Nino Defilippis (Legnano), Pasquale Fornara (Bottecchia), and climber Bruno Monti (Arbos) would be exciting to watch throughout the race to see their potential.

[7][8] Taking that into account with his good health, the media felt Koblet could be the one to challenge Coppi best.

[17] The leader of the general classification – calculated by adding the stage finish times of each rider – wore a pink jersey.

[18] Time bonuses were awarded to the stage winner and the first riders to summit categorized climbs.

The green jersey was given to the best foreign cyclist in the general classification; at the end of the Giro it was worn by Swiss Hugo Koblet.

The white jersey was given to the best cyclist riding with a licence for independents; this was won by Angelo Conterno.