Here are some general statistics from Gazzetta dello Sport that compare the 2004 edition with the previous two editions.

JERSEYS: The PINK and SKY BLUE JERSEYS are related to time classifications, the GREEN and the CYCLAMEN are for point-based classifications. The "Intergiro" (Intermediate Sprints) provides Time Bonuses for both the Overall and Sky Blue Jersey Standings, and also Points for the relative classification (Cyclamen Jersey).

* PINK JERSEY ("Maglia Rosa") for the Overall Classification;

* GREEN JERSEY ("Maglia Verde") for the Mountain Classification;

* CYCLAMEN JERSEY ("Maglia Ciclamino") for Points Classification;

* SKY BLUE JERSEY ("Maglia Azzurra") for Intermediate Sprints Ranking

The INTERGIRO CLASSIFICATION works as follows:

LINE STAGES: to all the competitors will be assigned the time obtained by the winner of the Inter-Giro; further on, the six first runners on the result list will gain the following bonuses : 30'' the first, 25'' the second, 20'' the third, 15'' the fourth, 10'' the fifth and 5'' the sixth. The first three riders will also gain bonus time for the Overall Ranking (see details below);

TIME TRIALS: the first six on the result list will be credited with the real time used to cover the distance from the starting point to the passage of the Intergiro; all the other competitors will be credited with the time of the seventh.

* There’s also two Teams Classifications, respectively based on TIME and POINTS.

TIME BONUSES in EACH STAGE (but ITTs, of course):

STAGE FINISH:
* 1st: 12 seconds;
* 2nd: 8 seconds;
* 3rd: 4 seconds

INTERGIRO (Intermediate Sprints):
* 1st: 6 seconds;
* 2nd: 4 seconds;
* 3rd: 2 seconds

POINTS CLASSIFICATION - SCORING SYSTEM:

STAGE RESULT - points (places: 1st to 15th) - : 25 - 20 - 16 - 14 - 12 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

INTERGIRO - points (places: 1st to 6th): 8 - 6 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

KOM CLASSIFICATION - SCORING SYSTEM:

CIMA COPPI - points (places: 1st to 6th): 20 - 15 - 10 - 6 - 4 - 2

The "Cima Coppi" is the highest mountain climbed in the Giro

MOUNTAIN TOP FINISH - points (places: 1st to 6th): 15 - 10 - 6 - 4 - 2

1st CATEGORY CLIMB - points (places: 1st to 5th): 10 - 6 - 4 - 2 -1

2nd CATEGORY CLIMB - points (places: 1st to 3rd): 5 - 3 - 1

3rd CATEGORY CLIMB - points (places: 1st to 3rd): 3 - 2 – 1

PRIZES: The total amount of the prizes assigned to the competitors is Euro 1.350.000.000

Participating Teams (courtesy cycling4all.com):

18 to 22 teams of 9 riders each are set to take part in the 2004 Tour of Italy.

Some teams are automatically qualified for the Giro, and have the right to take part in the race, thanks to their position in the UCI team Standings or other factors. They are:

• the 10 "top-clubs"for 2004 based on the UCI ranking to be released on December 21, 2003
  
• the winner of the UCI World Cup for Trade Teams (Saeco )
  
• the Trade Team of the 2003 Giro overall winner (Saeco) (Saeco)
  
• the winner of the 2003 Giro Trade Team Classification (the time-based one: Lampre)