The route and stage profiles of the 2026 Giro 🇮🇹

The route of the 2026 Giro was unveiled this Monday, December 1, and will start from Bulgaria for its 109th edition on Friday, May 8. A particularly and mountainous Giro d’Italia 2026 that will suit climbers—and Jonas Vingegaard, who is expected to be at the start. Here is a presentation of the route and stage profiles of the 2026 Giro d’Italia.

• DatDates of the Giro d’Italia 2026: May 8 to May 31, 2026

• TV broadcast: Eurosport Max

  
  

The route of the 2026 Giro d’Italia was presented this Monday, December 1, after weeks of intense rumors. In the end, the course is somewhat disappointing, as many of the mountain stages are quite similar—except for stage 19 to Piani di Pezzè. The race will take place from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, and will be broadcast on Eurosport.

Map route of the Giro 2026

Detailed route of the Giro 2026

The Grand Départ of the 2026 Giro will be held in Nesebar, Bulgaria, on Friday, May 8. There will be three days of racing in the country before heading to Italy. Notably, the race starts on a Friday, and there will already be a rest day on day 4 to allow for the transfer.

This 109th edition features a very mountainous route, including a brutal final week, returning to tradition, with nearly 50,000 meters of elevation gain. The 2026 Giro is therefore perfectly suited to climbers, including Jonas Vingegaard, who is expected to compete.

Highlights include a long time trial in Massa in western Italy, a brief visit to Switzerland at Cari, the return of Blockhaus with a marathon 246 km stage, and a daunting stage 19 finish at Piani di Pezzè. Finally, the race will conclude in Rome rather than Milan, as had been rumored

Key figures:

• 3,466 km of racing

• 48,700 m of total elevation gain

• Grand start in Bulgaria

• 5 high-mountain stages

• 7 hilly stages

• 8 flat stages

• 1 time trial (40 km)

Stage profiles of the 21 stages

Here is a preview of the 21 stages of the 2026 Giro d’Italia:

Stage 1 – Friday, May 8, 2026: Nesebar – Burgas – 156 km

Flat stage along the Black Sea. Sprint teams should control things easily. A chance for sprinters to take the pink jersey.

Stage 2 – Saturday, May 9: Burgas – Veliko Tarnovo – 220 km

One of the longest stages. A demanding route with a hilly finale that could disrupt sprint trains. Puncheurs may attack on the final climb.

Stage 3 – Sunday, May 10: Plovdiv – Sofia – 175 km

Balanced route with an intermediate climb. The peloton should catch breakaways before Sofia.

Stage 4 – Tuesday, May 12: Catanzaro – Cosenza – 138 km

Back in Italy. A typical Giro stage with a major mid-stage climb and flat finale. Unpredictable.

Stage 5 – Wednesday, May 13: Praia a Mare – Potenza – 203 km

Irregular terrain throughout. Perfect for a breakaway. Sprinters will struggle but may still try.

Stage 6 – Thursday, May 14: Paestum – Naples – 142 km

Flat and fast. Sprint finish expected in a tense urban finale.

Stage 7 – Friday, May 15: Formia – Blockhaus – 244 km

First major mountain stage with a legendary finish. Very long distance and tough final climb. First big GC showdown.

Stage 8 – Saturday, May 16: Chieti – Fermo – 157 km

Hilly stage with explosive finish. Ideal for puncheurs.

Stage 9 – Sunday, May 17: Cervia – Corno alle Scale – 184 km

Summit finish, gradually getting steeper.

Stage 10 – Tuesday, May 19: Viareggio – Massa – 42 km (Time Trial)

Only time trial but long and flat. Could create major time gaps.

Stage 11 – Wednesday, May 20: Porcari – Chiavari – 195 km

Hilly Ligurian stage. Tough for sprinters. Ideal for strong breakaway riders.

Stage 12 – Thursday, May 21: Imperia – Novi Ligure – 175 km

Likely sprint finish despite some mid-stage climbs.

Stage 13 – Friday, May 22: Alessandria – Verbania – 189 km

Explosive finale. Puncheurs favored. Hard for sprint teams to control.

Stage 14 – Saturday, May 23: Aosta – Pila – 133 km

Short but extremely demanding Alpine stage with over 4,000 m elevation gain. A key GC battle.

Stage 15 – Sunday, May 24: Voghera – Milan – 157 km

Flat transition stage. Sprint finish expected.

Stage 16 – Tuesday, May 26: Bellinzona – Cari – 113 km

Short, intense mountain stage in Switzerland. Summit finish.

Stage 17 – Wednesday, May 27: Cassano d’Adda – Andalo – 202 km

Long hilly stage with uphill finish. Open to breakaways or puncheurs.

Stage 18 – Thursday, May 28: Fai della Paganella – Pieve di Soligo – 167 km

Likely one of the last sprint opportunities.

Stage 19 – Friday, May 29: Feltre – Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) – 151 km

Queen stage in the Dolomites. Massive climbs including Passo Giau. Perfect terrain for major attacks.

Stage 20 – Saturday, May 30: Gemona del Friuli – Piancavallo – 200 km

Final mountain battle with double ascent of Piancavallo.

Stage 21 – Sunday, May 31: Rome – Rome – 131 km

Final parade stage in Rome. Sprint finish expected.