After the GC fireworks on stage 16, and ahead of the two final mountain stages, we have a couple of easier days at the Giro d’Italia, starting with a stage 17 that looks ripe for a breakaway.
Measuring 202km, stage 17 runs from Cassano d’Adda to Andalo in the Trentino region, on a day with just three minor-category climbs but significant elevation gain of 3,300 metres.
That’s because there are an abundance of false flats, with plenty of gentle uphill sections that take the riders from an altitude of 150 metres at the start to just over 1,000 metres at the finish. Most of that climbing is not categorised but that’s not to say it won’t be felt in the legs on a day that breaks the 200km distance barrier.
The three categorised climbs have all been given category 3 status, the first two coming in quick succession after the 50km mark, and the third topping out just 11km from the line.
That late climb to Andalo measures 8.3km at an average gradient of 3.6%, with some steeper ramps in the first part before a modest slope towards the top. However, it’s more about what comes before and what comes after. It’s preceded by nearly 80km of false flat, including the uncategorized climb over Roncone, and it’s followed by a dip down and then another uncategorised 5km climb before the route flattens in the final 1500 metres.
It’s a rugged parcours that no one will want to control from the front of the peloton, which should mean a big breakaway that goes all the way. With just seven teams having won stages so far, plenty still need to get something out of this race and this breakaway day represents a big opportunity with plenty of possibilities on a route that could come down to tactics just as much as legs if it does come down to a breakaway contest.
As such, the fight to form the break should be fierce, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see attacks flying for many of the flat 55km that open this stage before those first two category-3 climbs, the first at Passo dei Tre Termini and the second at Cocca di Lodrino.
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The race then enters the Valle del Chiese on a steady and gradual ascent that stiffens on the rise up to Roncone, where we have an intermediate sprint after 143.8km. After a descent, it’s another draggy 30km as the route heads up towards the final climb, which starts with just under 20km to go. The Red Bull Kilometre is positioned half-way up the climb but the bonus seconds on offer are not likely to count for much if a breakaway is clear at that point.
The climb tops out 11km from the line and is followed by 5km downhill and another 5km uphill before the road flattens out. There’s a slight downhill false flat into the final flat straight, where we could see a solo win or a sprint from a small group.
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Route profile for stage 17 at the 2026 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)
Route map of stage 17 for the 2026 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)
Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade’s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews’ wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN's news operation.
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