Begin: BulgariaFinish: RomeDistance: 3,466 kilometresClimbing: 49,150 metresDates: Might 8, 2026 – Might 31, 2026Summit finishes: 7Time trials: 116th overseas Grande Partenza
The 2026 Giro d’Italia will begin in Bulgaria, on the sting of the Black Sea in Japanese Europe earlier than touring to southern Italy for the gradual experience north through Naples, Tuscany and Milan earlier than the decisive mountain phases within the northeast and the ultimate stage in Rome.
The 21 phases of racing cowl a complete of three,459 kilometres and embody 49,150 metres of altitude achieve, with a return of a number of climbs and mountain finishes over 2,000 metres.
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There is only one particular person time trial, 40.2km on the Tuscan coast, tipping the battle for general victory in favour of the climbers. Nevertheless, there are eight flat phases giving the sprinters quite a few alternatives and 7 medium-mountain phases for the attackers. The 5 mountain phases and 7 summit finishes will resolve who pulls on the ultimate maglia rosa in Rome.
Outgoing Race Director Mauro Vegni, who has labored for RCS Sport for over 30 years, designed the race route for one final time however he’ll retire in February after dedicating his life to the Corsa Rosa.
The route of the 2026 Giro was offered in Rome on December 1, within the presence of the Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, 2025 Giro winner Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), 2025 Giro d’Italia Ladies winner Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Staff ADQ) and two-time Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali.
The 2026 Giro d’Italia Ladies shall be held between Might 30-June 7, a brand new date after the lads’s race as an alternative of through the males’s Tour de France. The nine-day Giro d’Italia Ladies will begin in Cesenatico, Marco Pantani’s birthplace, and finish in Saluzzo in Piemonte after climbing the spectacular Colle delle Finestre grime highway.
Particulars of the route of the 2026 Giro d’Italia Ladies may be discovered on the devoted race web page.
Simon Yates is anticipated to defend his 2025 victory, together with his teammate Jonas Vingegaard additionally a potential contender.
Stage 1: Nessebar – Burgas (147 km)
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The primary stage in Bulgaria begins and finishes on the Black Beach, highlighting the historical past and vacation resorts of the area. The 156km stage is flat and follows the shoreline, with a last 11.9km ending circuit. It appears good for the sprinters, who will struggle for the maglia rosa of the 2026 Giro.
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Stage 2: Burgas – Veliko Tarnovo (221 km)
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This lengthy stage heads inland with two mid-stage climbs after which a four-kilometre climb that tops out simply 8km from the end. It appears good for an assault to remain away and maybe the primary GC tussle.
Stage 3: Plovdiv – Sofia (175 km)
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The ultimate stage in Bulgaria finishes within the capital Sofia and as soon as once more favours the sprinters. Nevertheless, the lengthy mid-stage climb to Borovets offers the breakaway some hope of success.
Stage 4: Catanzaro – Cosenza (138 km)
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The Giro caravan will fly from Bulgaria to Calabria in southern Italy on Monday, Might 11 on a mixed journey and relaxation day. The racing returns on Tuesday with a brief stage to Cosenza which once more fits the sprinters if they’ll survive the 13km Cozzo Tunno climb after 86km.
Stage 5: Praia a Mare – Potenza (203 km)
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This stage is longer and tougher and climbs into the southern hills of the little-known Basilicata area. The brief however steep Grande Montagna di Viggiano comes after 150km, with a climb as much as central Potenza including an additional twist. It appears good for a breakaway and maybe a change in race management however the GC riders may even must be vigilant on the rolling roads of southern Italy.
Stage 6: Paestum – Napoli (142 km)
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The Giro returns to the magnificent Naples seafront in 2026, providing the sprinters one other alternative for victory. The stage begins close to the Greek temples of Paestum after which passes behind the Vesuvio volcano earlier than getting into Naples from the south. A last 23km circuit contains the brief climb to Fuorigrotta however the sprinters and the groups ought to have the ability to management any assaults.
Stage 7: Formia – Blockhaus (244 km)
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The riders climb into the excessive mountains for the primary time on stage 7 and in addition race the longest stage of the 2026 Giro on the highway to the Blockhaus. The 246km stage contains 4,600m of altitude achieve, the second highest of the race. It is going to be the primary true GC day of the 2026 Corsa Rosa.
The climbing begins after 135km and continues all the best way to the summit end at 1,665 metres, excessive within the central Apennines, utilizing the steeper and most feared 13.5km-long Roccamorice highway.
Stage 8: Chieti – Fermo (156 km)
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The climbing continues on stage 8, with a testing day on the brief however steep ‘muri’ climbs usually seen in Tirreno-Adriatico. The 159km stage begins with a 100km experience alongside the Adriatic coast however then heads into the hills for 2 steep climbs. There’s a first climb as much as Fermo after which one other ‘muro’ as much as Capodarco, which hosts the distinguished under-23 race the GP Capodarco, adopted by the ultimate climb to the end in Fermo.
Positioning within the peloton and descending abilities shall be as necessary as climbing means on a basic Giro stage full of hidden risks for the GC rider.
Stage 9: Cervia – Corno alle Scale (184 km)
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Stage 9 has one other flat begin however one other mountain end, this time excessive up within the central Apennines that divide Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. This third consecutive GC stage is all concerning the climb to the end after a flat experience from Cervia to Bologna.
The stage contains 2,400m of altitude achieve within the last 30km. The primary half is to Gaggio Montano, as soon as the house to the Saeco espresso machine model. A brief descent presents respite earlier than the ever-steepening 13km climb as much as Corno alle Scale. Gilberto Simoni gained an identical stage right here in 2004.
Stage 10: Viareggio – Massa (42 km ITT)
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This stage was maybe added to the Giro path to tempt time trialists comparable to Remco Evenepoel, Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard however is probably not sufficient to counter stability all of the climbing and the seven summit finishes.
It follows a flat and quick route alongside the seashores of the Tuscany coast, with a loop south of Viareggio after which inland to Massa earlier than ending on the seafront.
Time positive aspects by some GC riders may very well be vital however lots of climbing stays within the second half of the Giro.
Stage 11: Porcari – Chiavari (195 km)
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This hilly stage comes after the second relaxation day in Tuscany and will catch out a GC rider who struggles with the change to their day by day race routine.
The 178km stage begins on the manufacturing facility of race sponsor Regina after which returns to the Tuscany coast and heads north to La Spezia to enter Liguria. The coastal area is full of twisting climbs and the stage tackles the Passo del Termini and the Colle di Guaitarola earlier than the late San Bartolomeo climb and a white knuckle descent to the end on the coast in Chiavari.
Stage 12: Imperia – Novi Ligure (175 km)
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This stage has been dubbed a ‘reverse Milan-San Remo’ as a result of it begins on the Ligurian coast after which climbs over the mountains for a end in Novi Ligure on the flat highway in direction of Milan.
As an alternative of climbing the Passo del Turchino utilized in Milan-San Remo, the 177km stage climbs the tougher Colle Giovo and the Bric Berton however the 50km of descending and flat roads offers the dash groups loads of time to chase the breakaway.
Stage 13: Alessandria – Verbania (189 km)
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The Giro continues to roll north with this switch stage to Verbania on the foot of the Alps and the border with Switzerland.
The route is flat because it rolls to the west of Milan and thru the rice fields north of Norvara. There are two late climbs overlooking Lake Maggiore, with the highway as much as Ungiasca, particularly steep and ending solely 13km from the end on the lakeshore.
Stage 14: Aosta – Pila (133 km)
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The third weekend of the Giro has contrasting phases, with stage 13 climbing excessive within the Val d’Aosta. The 133km stage is brief however contains 4,400m of altitude achieve and ends in Pila at 1,793 metres.
Riders might want to warm-up earlier than the beginning with the 18km lengthy Saint-Barthélemy climb beginning in Aosta. The stage then twists and turns between the valley highway and the excessive mountains, with Lin Noir and Verrogne combining to create one other hour of climbing. The Giro returns to Pila after a 30-year absence with the 16.5km a relentless grind to the end line. Robert Millar gained that day in 1987 and Stephen Roche went on to win general after his battle of nerves with Carrera teammate Roberto Visentini.
Stage 15: Voghera – Milan (157 km)
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The Giro d’Italia now ends in Rome as an alternative of Milan, the house of La Gazzetta dello Sport and RCS Sport, however the metropolis has historic hyperlinks to Italian biking and so has agreed to host a stage end to mark the tip of week two.
It’s one other alternative for the sprinters, with 4 laps of a metropolis centre circuit close to the Vigorelli velodrome.
Stage 16: Bellinzona – Carì (113 km)
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The riders will benefit from the third and last relaxation north of Milan earlier than one other robust day within the saddle instantly after a time without work. It’s brief at simply 113km however ought to make the raving extra intense and maybe have an even bigger affect on the GC.
The stage is completely on Swiss roads and the Italian talking Canton Ticino. The Leonticas climb is roofed twice mid-stage earlier than a mountain end within the Carì ski resort at 1644 metres after a relentless 212km climb.
Stage 17: Cassano d’Adda – Andalo (202 km)
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This stage was initially anticipated to complete at Madonna di Campiglio, maybe after climbing the mighty Passo dello Stelvio, as an alternative has turn into extra a transition or breakaway stage in direction of the ultimate excessive mountains.
The highway heads east from Brianza, passing Brescia after which climbing within the valley roads close to Lake Garda.
Stage 18: Fai della Paganella – Pieve di Soligo (168 km)
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As an alternative of heading excessive into the close by Dolomites and Alps, stage 18 takes the Giro southeast into the Veneto area for a end in Pieve di Soligo. It’s one other transition stage, however passes by way of the hilly Prosecco vineyards and climbs the Ca’ del Poggio hillside simply 10km from the end.
The struggle for positioning shall be extra necessary than the climb itself and may take a look at the GC riders’ nerves and crew power if not their legs.
Stage 19: Feltre – Alleghe (151 km)
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The excessive mountains lastly rear their heads on stage 19, with 5 climbs in simply 152km of racing, making this the Queen stage of the 2026 Corsa Rosa. RCS Sport have designated it a five-star stage because of the 5000 metres of altitude achieve, and it ought to start the ultimate battle for the maglia rosa.
The stage begins in Feltre, close to the race chief jersey sponsor Castelli after which climbs the Passo Duran, the Forcella Staulanza, the steep Passo Giau as much as 2233 metres, which is the Cima Coppi, adopted by the Passo Falzarego.
An extended descent results in the foot of the ultimate Piani di Pezzè climb. It’s brief however steep and can certainly damage after the earlier climbs. A younger and promising Marco Pantani gained right here in 1992 when he gained the novice Giro.
Stage 20: Gemona del Friuli – Piancavallo (200 km)
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This last mountain stage remembers the horrible earthquake that struck the Friuli Venezia Giulia 50 years in the past.
It begins on the flat valley roads however climbs excessive to Piancavallo twice. The 14.4km climb rises at 8.9%, steeper than most lengthy climbs and definitely tougher than something climbed on the Tour de France. Tao Geoghegan Hart gained on the 14.4km, 8.9% climb in 2020 on the best way to general victory.
In 2026 the rider will climb to Piancavallo after 130km, dive down the descent after which climb again to Piancavallo from Aviano after 184km. Race organisers are clearly hoping the 2026 Giro shall be vast open till the ultimate climb of the race, with the winner of the Corsa Rosa topped on the summit.
Stage 21: Roma – Roma (131 km)
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The ultimate ceremonial stage in Rome comes after a flight or high-speed prepare south from the northwest of Italy.
The 131km stage heads out to the coast earlier than returning to the town centre for 9 ending circuits across the Roman ruins of the Fori Imperiale and the Colosseum, with some tough cobbled sections included within the experience across the Everlasting Metropolis.
A dash end is assured because the peloton celebrates the tip of the Giro in entrance of hundreds of stunned vacationers after which heads for a plate of well-deserved Roman pasta.
