The race came to a close on June 10 with a mass-start stage that ended in the Italian city of Milan.

[5] The eighteenth stage contained the Cima Coppi Colle Fauniera which was an 14.5 km (9 mi) climb with an average gradient of 9.5%.

[5] The previous year's winner Garzelli described the route to be a "hard Giro, but not the hardest.

"[5] Pantani said it was an "uncertain Giro" and that the limited time trial distances and fewer climbing kilometers would help Jan Ullrich.

Other less well-known classifications, whose leaders did not receive a special jersey, were awarded during the Giro.

Other awards included the Combativity classification, which was a compilation of points gained for position on crossing intermediate sprints, mountain passes and stage finishes.

[1] During the Giro, test for EPO performed on Sergio Barbero in the 2001 Tour of Romandie came back positive.

[12] Riccardo Forconi and Pascal Hervé tested positive for EPO, and were not allowed to start stage 17.

[13][14] After stage 17, the Italian police held a doping raid in the cyclists' hotels.

Doping was found in Dario Frigo's room, and he was removed from the race, and banned for 6 months.

[15] Noan Lelarge tested positive for a banned steroid, and was consequently fired by his team Bonjour.