Simon Yates claimed the Giro d’Italia title in the 2025 season. (Photo by LUCA BETTINI / AFP)
The 2026 Giro d’Italia promises three weeks of spectacular cycling across Bulgaria and Italy. With several big names absent, Jonas Vingegaard (29) emerges as the top favorite, though the Giro has historically produced many surprise winners.
The 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia brings together cycling’s finest talents on the roads and mountains of Italy, but this year the race kicks off in Bulgaria with the first three stages.
As the first of the three Grand Tours, the race starts on May 8 and concludes on May 31. There will be 21 stages in total: eight flat stages for sprinters, seven medium-mountain stages, five high-mountain stages, and one individual time trial. The route covers 3,468 kilometers with 48,700 meters of cumulative elevation gain.
Below, we break down everything you need to know about the Giro: the route, schedule, favorites, and how to watch so you won’t miss a moment of this world-class road cycling event.
**Route and Full Schedule**
| Stage | Date | Route/Location | Type | Distance (km) | Elevation Gain (m) |
|——-|——|—————-|——|—————-|——————–|
| Stage 1 | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Nessebar to Burgas (Bulgaria) | Flat | 147 | 500 |
| Stage 2 | Saturday, May 9, 2026 | Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) | Hilly | 221 | 2,600 |
| Stage 3 | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Plovdiv to Sofia (Bulgaria) | Flat | 175 | 1,600 |
| Rest Day | Monday, May 11, 2026 | Transfer to Italy | – | – | – |
| Stage 4 | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | Catanzaro to Cosenza | Flat | 138 | 1,600 |
| Stage 5 | Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Praia a Mare to Potenza | Hilly | 203 | 3,724 |
| Stage 6 | Thursday, May 14, 2026 | Paestum to Naples | Flat | 142 | 680 |
| Stage 7 | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Formia to Blockhaus | Mountain | 244 | 4,500 |
| Stage 8 | Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Chieti to Fermo | Hilly | 156 | 1,804 |
| Stage 9 | Sunday, May 17, 2026 | Cervia to Corno alle Scale | Hilly / Summit Finish | 184 | 2,351 |
| Rest Day | Monday, May 18, 2026 | Rest in Italy | – | – | – |
| Stage 10 | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Viareggio to Massa (TUDOR ITT) | Individual Time Trial | 42 | 105 |
| Stage 11 | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | Porcari to Chiavari | Hilly | 195 | 2,939 |
| Stage 12 | Thursday, May 21, 2026 | Imperia to Novi Ligure | Flat | 175 | 2,131 |
| Stage 13 | Friday, May 22, 2026 | Alessandria to Verbania | Flat / Hilly Finish | 189 | 1,326 |
| Stage 14 | Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Aosta to Pila | Mountain | 133 | 4,400 |
| Stage 15 | Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Voghera to Milan | Flat | 157 | 612 |
| Rest Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | Rest in Italy | – | – | – |
| Stage 16 | Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | Bellinzona to Carì (Switzerland) | Mountain | 113 | 3,000 |
| Stage 17 | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Cassano d’Adda to Andalo | Hilly | 202 | 3,257 |
| Stage 18 | Thursday, May 28, 2026 | Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo | Flat | 171 | 1,896 |
| Stage 19 | Friday, May 29, 2026 | Feltre to Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) | Mountain | 151 | 4,888 |
| Stage 20 | Saturday, May 30, 2026 | Gemona del Friuli to Piancavallo | Mountain | 200 | 3,751 |
| Stage 21 | Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Rome to Rome | Flat | 131 | 1,329 |
**The Grande Partenza 2026**
Riders will enjoy Bulgarian landscapes during the first three stages, starting in Nessebar and finishing in Sofia, before transferring to Italy on the rest day. This marks the 16th time the Giro has started outside Italy.
The first and third stages are flat, while the second includes two medium-mountain climbs, classifying it as hilly. This means two of the three opening days favor the sprinters.
**Favorites for the General Classification**
The clear favorite for the overall win is Jonas Vingegaard, who leads a strong field. However, past editions have shown that the Giro’s unpredictable nature can crown unexpected champions. Key contenders will likely include climbers from top teams, though official start lists are yet to be confirmed. Other riders to watch include experienced Grand Tour veterans and emerging talents ready to challenge the Dane.
**How to Watch**
The Giro d’Italia 2026 will be broadcast globally on major sports networks and streaming platforms. Check local listings for specific channels in your region. Key stages, including mountain finishes and time trials, will receive extensive live coverage.