The second and third places were taken by Colombian Rigoberto Urán and Italian Fabio Aru, respectively.

This was also the first grand tour where non-Europeans led for the entire race, with a Canadian, two Australians, and two Colombians wearing the Pink jersey.

All eighteen UCI ProTeams were automatically invited and were obliged to attend the race.

As the winners of the 2013 Coppa Italia rankings for Italian teams, Androni Giocattoli–Venezuela were invited to the race in October 2013.

[1] In January 2014, the three remaining wildcard places were decided by a vote on social media, from a shortlist of eight UCI Professional Continental teams.

Before the start of a race, Nairo Quintana, Joaquim Rodríguez, Cadel Evans, Rigoberto Urán were among the main favourites for overall victory.

Other possible contenders were Domenico Pozzovivo, Michele Scarponi, Dan Martin, Ivan Basso, Rafał Majka and Przemysław Niemiec.

For the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage, and allowing time bonuses (10, 6 and 4 seconds respectively) for the first three finishers on mass-start stages, the leader received a pink jersey.

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

[12] The Premio della Fuga, rewards riders who take part in breakaways at the head of the field.

[12] Other awards include the Fighting Spirit (Combativity classification), which is a compilation of points gained for position on crossing intermediate sprints, mountain passes and stage finishes.