Giro 2026 Favourites stage 12: For fast men #4

fotobureau Cor VosStage 12 sees the Giro organisers stick to a tried-and-tested formula. In a nailed-on sprint stage, they throw in one or two climbs and then wait to see whether it actually comes down to a bunch sprint. What will it be this time? (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 6 May 2026

With those uphill challenges midway through the stage, the route follows the formula of stages 3 and 4. We obviously don’t yet know how those played out, but this time there are two climbs instead of one, coming back to back. First the Colle Giovo (11.4 kilometres at 4.4%) and shortly after the Bric Berton (5.5 kilometres at 5.9%). At the summit of the latter, there are still 52 kilometres to go to the finish in Novi Ligure.

The difference compared to stage 3 is that there were still 70 kilometres to the finish back then, while in stage 4 it was 43 kilometres. So in stage 12, the remaining distance sits neatly in between.

After the descent, there are still just over 30 kilometres to the finish. Potential disruptors for a chase include a 1.7-kilometre stretch at 3.9% (which also hosts an intermediate sprint, 13.4 kilometres from the line) and a 600-metre climb at 7.2% in Pasturana, coming inside the final 7 kilometres.

The finishing straight in Novi Ligure rises ever so slightly.

Favourites 12th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia

*** Jonathan Milan, Paul Magnier, Tobias Lund Andresen
** Arnaud De Lie, Kaden Groves, Ethan Vernon, Ben Turner
* Dylan Groenewegen, Filippo Ganna, Erlend Blikra, Luca Mozzato, Paul Penhoët

Add an extra element of excitement to the Giro and enter our fantasy game with a guaranteed prize pool of €7,000.

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia.