Giro 2026 Favourites stage 14: GC clash in the high mountains

fotobureau Cor VosStage 14 of the Giro can be summed up in one word: intense. The riders tackle 4,350 metres of climbing in just 133 kilometres, with a summit finish to top it off. In short, the route is crying out for a showdown between the GC contenders. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 5 May 2026

As the flag drops, the road goes uphill. The riders climb for 15.8 kilometres at 6.1% to the Saint-Barthélemy valley, before looping back to the start town of Aosta via another valley. From there, they head into yet another valley, which begins with a 3.5-kilometre climb at 5.5%, and without any meaningful descent the road soon continues uphill for a further 5.8 kilometres at 6.2%.

Once again, the riders descend back towards Aosta, before tackling two more climbs in quick succession. The first is the Lin Noir (7.4 kilometres at 7.9%), followed by the climb to Verrogne (5.6 kilometres at 6.9%). At the summit of the latter, 40.9 kilometres remain, roughly half of which is downhill. After a few kilometres in the valley, the final climb begins.

The ascent to the ski resort of Pila covers 16.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.1%. It's a steady climb without double-digit ramps, which suits a diesel climber like Arensman. But Vingegaard will also know how to handle this final climb.

We mention two GC riders explicitly, and it may be wishful thinking, but we do indeed expect a showdown between the GC contenders on Stage 14.

How the race unfolds depends on the GC, so we will update this article during the Giro.

Favourites 14th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia

*** Jonas Vingegaard, Thymen Arensman
** Adam Yates, Egan Bernal, Felix Gall, Giulio Pellizzari
* Giulio Ciccone, Wout Poels, Aleksandr Vlasov, Einer Rubio, Jan Hirt

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Another interesting read: route 14th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia.