Giro d'Italia stage 4 LIVE: Cross winds and a long late climb could spark chaos on the road to Cosenza

Netcompany are the next team to sign on.

The Giro is far more than a bike race, it's a journey of discovery.

Meanwhile, the countdown to the Tour de France is already underway, with Remco Evenepoel one of the first riders to start his altitude training block.

'Start the countdown' – Remco Evenepoel ramps up Tour de France preparation with Sierra Nevada altitude training camp

This is the official stage profile and map. Look how long the stage follows the expose coast road.

In Catanzaro the teams have started to sign on, with Picnic first on stage.

The stage starts at 13:40 CET, with XDS Astana and the maglia rosa last to sign on at 13:25.

Paul Magnier told L'Equipe he will try to survive the climb and so sprint for the stage victory but warned about the cross winds.

"The wind, coming off the coast, is likely to make the race more difficult, more nervous," he said.

"If Vingegaard is in the first echelon and manages to distance Bernal, they'll go all out on the climb to try and take as much time as possible from him. And that won't be to my advantage.

If the climb has a tailwind, that won't be to my advantage either. But I had a good altitude training camp. I don't feel too bad in the mountains."

The sun is out in Italy. There is little sign of wind at the start but the forecasts are for a strong headwind for the ride out of Catanzaro.

Philippa York also gave her view on the racing in her Giro d'Italia analysis.

She noted how "The Giro d’Italia is no stranger to a bit of drama, sometimes of an exciting nature and at others excruciatingly painful."

Dreams fulfilled but disasters poorly handled in Bulgaria – Philippa York's Giro d'Italia analysis

James Moultrie and Alasdair Fotheringham are on the ground at the Giro for Cyclingnews. They also completed the transfer from Bulgaria to Italy.

James looked back at the Grand Partenza, highlighting the good and bad of a week in Bulgaria. It's a great read.

250,000 fans in Sofia, a packed Lidl car park, and flamingos – Giro d'Italia reflections from a crash-marred but memorable Bulgarian Grande Partenza

Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quickstep) made it two wins in three days in a three-way photo finish in Sofia but will have to suffer on the climb today if he wants to sprint for a third win.

Some teams may try to push the pace on the climb in ther hope of dropping the talented young French rider.

This is our full stage 4 preview.

2026 Giro d'Italia stage 4 preview - Can Paul Magnier make it three wins on race’s first stage in Italy?

Today's stage is a 138km ride from Catanzaro to Cosenza in the southern Calabria region of Italy.

The stage is relatively short but should be entertaining and even intense. The stage begins with a climb that is perfect for attacks. Then the riders face 50km on the exposed coast road and a 14km climb inland towards Cosenza.

The wind is blowing in Italy today and so it could be a factor, especially along the coast road. We could see attacks, the peloton lined out and perhaps even splits due to echelons and the cross wind.

The wind is blowing from the riders' left at average speed of 25 km/h.

Buongiorno and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 4 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia