on 13 may 1909 at 02:53 am 127 riders started the first giro d'italia at loreto place in milan. the race was split into eight stages covering . a total of 49 riders finished, with italian luigi ganna winning. ganna won three individual stages and the general classification. ganna received 5325 lira as a winner’s prize, with the last rider in the general classification receiving 300 lira. the giro's director received only 150 lira a month, 150 lira fewer than the last-placed rider.