- Race Home
-
Stages
-
Stage 1147km | Nessebar - Burgas
-
Stage 2219km | Burgas - Veliko Tarnovo
-
Stage 3175km | Plovdiv - Sofia
-
Rest Day 1-
-
Stage 4138km | Catanzaro - Cosenza
-
Stage 5203km | Praia a Mare - Potenza
-
Stage 6142km | Paestum - Napoli
-
Stage 7244km | Formia - Blockhaus
-
Stage 8156km | Chieti - Fermo
-
Stage 9184km | Cervia - Corno alle Scale
-
Rest Day 2-
-
Stage 1040.2km | Viareggio - Massa (ITT)
-
Stage 11195km | Porcari - Chiaveri
-
Stage 12175km | Imperia - Novi Ligure
-
Stage 13189km | Alessandria - Verbania
-
Stage 14133km | Aosta - Pila
-
Stage 15157km | Voghera - Milan
-
Rest Day 3-
-
Stage 16113km | Bellinzona - Carì
-
Stage 17202km | Cassano d'Adda - Andalo
-
Stage 18168km | Fai della Paganella - Pieve di Soligo
-
Stage 19151km | Feltre - Alleghe
-
Stage 20200km | Gemona del Friuli - Piancavallo
-
Stage 21131km | Rome - Rome
- View all Stages
-
- Route
- Contenders
- History
- Start list
Latest News from the Race
-
-
GuideGiro d'Italia jerseys, classifications and rules explained – A breakdown of points available on each stage, prize money, minor prizes and more -
NewsChallenging logistics and extremely long drives – Giro d'Italia Bulgaria start adds 1,000km transfer to three weeks of racing -
News'Half the peloton fell ill' – Cow manure infection blamed as Arnaud De Lie and Lotto-Intermarché see Giro d'Italia build-up derailed
-
Date | May 8- 31, 2026 | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Distance | 3,466 | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Start location | Nessebar, Bulgaria | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Finish location | Rome, Italy | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
Category | UCI WorldTour/GrandTour | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
Edition | 109th | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
Total climbing | 49,150 metres | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
Previous edition | Row 7 - Cell 2 | |
Previous winner | Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
Giro d'Italia Countdown
'The stress just drains you' – What Jonas Vingegaard can expect from his first Giro d'Italia
When Jonas Vingegaard heads to the Giro d'Italia start line at Nessebar in a little under 48 hours, even if he is a debutant, in a lot of ways he'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect in the 3,468 kilometres that lie between him and the race's final finish line at Rome on May 31. He's got eight Grand Tours in his palmarès – five Tours and three Vueltas – after all, and his lowest final position in any of them since 2021 has been second overall, with no abandons. So it's fair to say Vingegaard is very much a 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt/maillot jaune to prove it' kind of guy. Read more...
What is the Blockhaus? And why does it matter so much in this year’s Giro d’Italia?
2026 Giro d'Italia Overview
The 2026 Giro d'Italia is the 109th edition of the Italian Grand Tour. The three-week race will be held from May 8 to May 31 with the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria in Eastern Europe. The Giro will travel to Italy after three stages in Bulgaria
Race organiser RCS Sport presented the race route in Rome on December 1, alongside the route of the 2026 Giro d'Italia Women's race.
The 2026 Giro d'Italia route covers a total 3,466 kilometres and includes 49,150 metres of elevation gain across the 21 stages.
There is just one 40.2 km time trial in Tuscany, with a balance of sprint, hilly and mountain stages. The final week is packed with mountain stages in the north of Italy before a transfer to the capital Rome for the final circuit stage.
The Giro d'Italia is one of professional cycling's three Grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.
First run in 1909 by sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the race has been organised since 1989 by RCS Sport under the same umbrella as the newspaper.
The race experimented with different formats in the early years starting with a points system, then holding only a teams classification in 2012, and finally moving to the time-based classification used today in 1914.
The race was suspended from 1915 to 1918 due to World War I. Once it resumed, Alfredo Binda emerged as the first star of the race, winning in 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1933.
Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi made their names in the Giro before World War II led to the race's cancellation from 1941 to 1945, then resumed their rivalry.
Coppi won five editions in 1940, 1947, 1949, 1952 and 1953, while Bartali won in 1936, 1937 and 1946.
The next superstar to make a name in the Giro d'Italia was Eddy Merckx, winner of five editions from 1968 to 1974.
Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at this year's Giro d'Italia? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our coverage of the Corsa Rosa. Enjoy unrivalled reporting from our team of journalists on the ground, including breaking news, analysis, and more, from every stage as it happens, plus access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! Find out more.
2026 Giro d'Italia schedule
Stage | Date | Start-Finish | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 | May 8, 2026 | Nessebar - Burgas | 147 km |
Stage 2 | May 9, 2026 | Burgas - Veliko Tarnovo | 221 km |
Stage 3 | May 10, 2026 | Plovdiv - Sofia | 175 km |
Stage 4 | May 12, 2026 | Catanzaro - Cosenza | 138 km |
Stage 5 | May 13, 2026 | Praia a Mare - Potenza | 203 km |
Stage 6 | May 14, 2026 | Paestum - Naples | 142 km |
Stage 7 | May 15, 2026 | Formia - Blockhouse | 244 km |
Stage 8 | May 16, 2026 | Chieti - Fermo | 156 km |
Stage 9 | May 17, 2026 | Cervia - Corno alle Scale | 184 km |
Stage 10 | May 19, 2026 | Viareggio - Massa (ITT) | 42 km |
Stage 11 | May 20, 2026 | Porcari - Chiavari | 195 km |
Stage 12 | May 21, 2026 | Imperia - Novi Ligure | 175 km |
Stage 13 | May 22, 2026 | Alessandria - Verbania | 189 km |
Stage 14 | May 23, 2026 | Aosta - Pila (Gressan) | 133 km |
Stage 15 | May 24, 2026 | Voghera - Milan | 157 km |
Stage 16 | May 26, 2026 | Bellinzona - Carì | 113 km |
Stage 17 | May 27, 2026 | Cassano d'Adda - Andalo | 202 km |
Stage 18 | May 28, 2026 | Fai della Paganella - Pieve di Soligo | 168 km |
Stage 19 | May 29, 2026 | Feltre - Alleghe (Pezzè Plains) | 151 km |
Stage 20 | May 30, 2026 | Gemona del Friuli 1976-2026 - Piancavallo | 200 km |
Stage 21 | May 31, 2026 | Rome - Rome | 131 km |
Giro d'Italia Records
Most overall wins: Fausto Coppi, Alfredo Binda, Eddy Merckx (five); Giovanni Brunero, Gino Bartali, Fiorenzo Magni, Felice Gimondi, Bernard Hinault (three).
Most stage wins: Mario Cipollini (42), Alfredo Binda (41), Learco Guerra (31), Constance Girardengo (30), Eddy Merckx (25), Mark Cavendish (16)
Most mountain classification wins: Gino Bartali (seven); José Manuel Fuentes (four); Fausto Coppi, Franco Bitossi, Claudio Bortolotto, Claudio Chiappucci (three)
Most points classification wins: Francesco Moser, Giuseppe Saronni (four); Roger De Vlaeminck, Johan van der Velde, Mario Cipollini (three)
Most starts: Wladimir Panizza (18); Pierino Gavazzi, Domenico Pozzovivo (17)
Youngest winner: Fausto Coppi, 1940 (20 years and 268 days)
Oldest winner: Fiorenzo Magni, 1955 (34 years and 180 days)
Smallest margin of victory: 11 seconds (Fiorenzo Magni, 1948)
Largest margin of victory: 1:57:26 (Alfonso Calzolari, 1914)
Fastest edition: 2024 (41.866 kph)
To test your own knowledge on the winners of the Giro d'Italia throughout its history, take our quiz here.
Races
-
Giro d'Italia8 May 2026 - 31 May 2026 | WorldTour

- Giro d'Italia 2026 route
- Jonas Vingegaard the clear frontrunner, but who will emerge as his biggest challenger? – Analysing the favourites for the Giro d'Italia
- Giro d'Italia past winners
-
Stage 3 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 3 preview | Plovdiv - Sofia2026-05-10 175km
-
Rest Day 12026-05-11
-
Stage 4 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 4 preview | Catanzaro - Cosenza2026-05-12 138km
-
Stage 6 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 6 preview | Paestum - Napoli2026-05-14 142km
-
Stage 7 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 7 preview | Formia - Blockhaus2026-05-15 244km
-
Stage 8 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 8 preview | Chieti - Fermo2026-05-16 156km
-
Rest Day 22026-05-18
-
Stage 10 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 10 preview | Viareggio - Massa (ITT)2026-05-19 40.2km
-
Stage 11 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 11 preview | Porcari - Chiaveri2026-05-20 195km
-
Stage 14 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 14 preview | Aosta - Pila2026-05-23 133km
-
Stage 15 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 15 preview | Voghera - Milan2026-05-24 157km
-
Rest Day 32026-05-25
-
Stage 16 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 16 preview | Bellinzona - Carì2026-05-26 113km
-
Stage 19 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 19 preview | Feltre - Alleghe2026-05-29 151km
-
Stage 21 - 2026 Giro d'Italia stage 21 preview | Rome - Rome2026-05-31 131km
Latest Content on the Race

Giro d'Italia jerseys, classifications and rules explained – A breakdown of points available on each stage, prize money, minor prizes and more
By Dani Ostanek, Matilda Price last updated
Guide All you need to know – from the maglia rosa to the Cima Coppi, defunct prizes, and time limit calculations

Challenging logistics and extremely long drives – Giro d'Italia Bulgaria start adds 1,000km transfer to three weeks of racing
By Stephen Farrand published
News Teams double up, spend extra and cut some luxuries to make sure they can successfully transfer to Italy on Monday

'Half the peloton fell ill' – Cow manure infection blamed as Arnaud De Lie and Lotto-Intermarché see Giro d'Italia build-up derailed
By Stephen Farrand published
News Belgian sprinter missed team presentation and Josh Giddings flew to Bulgaria as replacement for Liam Slock

'It often surprises me that people think it's all super serious for us' – Jonas Vingegaard's right-hand man Victor Campenaerts on Visma's Giro d'Italia build-up
By James Moultrie published
News Danish pre-rave favourite says he 'asked deliberately to have' Belgian domestique with him as he chases complete set at Italian Grand Tour debut

Is co-leadership the only way to challenge Vingegaard at Giro d'Italia? Jai Hindley set to share Red Bull reigns with Pellizzari after season of domestique duties
By James Moultrie published
News Australian former winner primes for sixth appearance at his favourite race, where it's 'always unpredictable and always super hard in the last week'

Quiz! How many winners of the Giro d'Italia can you name?
By Pete Trifunovic last updated
Quiz How well do you know the winners of Italy's three-week men's race?

Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d'Italia
By Dani Ostanek published
Analysis Italian racer headlines sprint line-up, but Kaden Groves and Dylan Groenewegen are among the other top challengers

Giro d'Italia 2026 team-by-team guide – Leaders, objectives and riders to watch for every squad on the start list
By Stephen Farrand last updated
Guide Cyclingnews' comprehensive guide to each of the 23 teams starting the Giro in Bulgaria this May
Top News on the Race
-
How to watch Giro d'Italia 2026 – Live streams, TV channels, Schedule
All the broadcast information for the three-week race as Jonas Vingegaard heads up the startlist -
'Our best weapon' – Back from injury, Kaden Groves leads Alpecin-Premier Tech chase for stage wins at the Giro d'Italia
After skipping the Classics due to injury the Australian sprinter is returning to the fray to spearhead team's stage win goals -
'I'm 29, but I almost feel old' – Egan Bernal reflects on the changing landscape of cycling as he returns to Giro d'Italia with GC hopes once again
Colombian former Giro winner boosted for GC challenge by promising recent results
-
'There aren't many hours outside of all the rehab to spend a lot of time enjoying life' – Jay Vine won't be targeting GC at Giro d'Italia after stop-start 2026 season
Australian with full focus on winning stage 10 time trial, says chasing overall result 'isn't something that I'll be doing at this race' -
Red Bull Kilometre sprints and stage finishes offer precious time bonuses during 2026 Giro d'Italia
Six, four and two second time bonuses positioned close to finished and final climbs, with €130,000 in extra prize money -
'I'm a little more motivated' - Jonathan Milan eyes first lead in Giro d'Italia on Friday in rare opportunity for sprinters and a grasp of jersey with home connection
Lidl-Trek fastman top contender for first pink jersey of race
-
'Bike racing isn't on paper' – Even without ideal preparation, GC hope Derek Gee-West looks to thrive in the brutal attrition of the Giro d'Italia
Canadian Champion missed Lidl-Trek's pre-Giro altitude camp due to recovery from illness -
'It’s a new chapter for us' – Netcompany Ineos show off their new green-grey and orange colours in Bulgaria before Giro d'Italia
Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman confirmed as joint GC leaders for British squad -
'I want to win the Giro and make history' – Jonas Vingegaard targets Grand Tour trilogy at Giro d'Italia
'The Giro is more unpredictable. You've got to be ready for anything every day' says Dane
Related Features
-
Giro d'Italia jerseys, classifications and rules explained – A breakdown of points available on each stage, prize money, minor prizes and more
All you need to know – from the maglia rosa to the Cima Coppi, defunct prizes, and time limit calculations -
Quiz! How many winners of the Giro d'Italia can you name?
How well do you know the winners of Italy's three-week men's race? -
Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d'Italia
Italian racer headlines sprint line-up, but Kaden Groves and Dylan Groenewegen are among the other top challengers -
Giro d'Italia 2026 team-by-team guide – Leaders, objectives and riders to watch for every squad on the start list
Cyclingnews' comprehensive guide to each of the 23 teams starting the Giro in Bulgaria this May -
A GC battle featuring one top dog, a few challengers and a whole load of hopefuls – Philippa York's Giro d'Italia analysis
Cyclingnews' regular columnist Philippa York casts her eye over the favourites and hopefuls for the maglia rosa and other competitions before the Giro gets underway in Bulgaria




























