Route: The race heads south-west, back into Italy via Switzerland. Although we're surrounded by high peaks all the way, passing the upmarket resort of St Moritz, the stage is one very steady climb to the summit of the Maloja pass, followed by a high-speed descent into the finish. A sprint is not out of the question, but a winning break more likely.
Local hero: Winner of stage seven last year, LPR's Gabriele Bosisio hometown of Lecco is just down at the other end of Lake Como/Lecco from the finish. This stage might not suit his climbing talent, but don't be surprised to see him on the attack.
Procycling's top tip: Like the previous day, this stage should favour one-day specialists, and there are plenty of them to choose from. We give Katusha's Filippo Pozzato the nod here, as his new team has been going well and this is the kind of stage-winning opportunity they won't want to pass up.
Savio speaks: Chiavenna continues the international flavour for the Giro. This Swiss stage is for sprinters, we are only in the seventh day and so it is too early for long escapes to succeed. We will see the leader's team work to protect the maglia rosa. We are in Valtellina area, known for its Bresaola meats and Pizzocheri pasta. Enjoy!
Stage profile
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'There's still room for improvement' - Remco Evenepoel not concerned about premature peak form after winning Volta Valenciana
No Milan-San Remo start planned after brilliant stage race debut with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe -
'I really put myself through it' - Zoe Bäckstedt loses the UAE Tour white jersey but impresses on the brutal slopes of Jebel Hafeet
Having shown her skills in the bunch sprints early in the week, Bäckstedt beat some climbers on the mountain -
'I still cannot believe that it's really happened' - Femke de Vries delighted with a breakout ride, taking third place in UAE Tour
'A little bit more training, a little bit more resting, a little bit watching the food and being more serious' brings Dutch rider a career-best result on Jebel Hafeet -
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana: Remco Evenepoel navigates chaotic final to secure overall victory as Raúl García Pierna wins stage 5 from breakaway
Crashes and attacks define short and punchy final stage, with Emil Herzog second and Jasper Schoofs third whilst Evenepoel wins first stage race of 2026
