Giro 2026 Favourites stage 19: Who'll win the toughest stage?

fotobureau Cor VosThe Giro is three weeks underway when the riders face the toughest test. Over 151 kilometres they tackle 5,000 metres of climbing, while the finishing climb rises for 5 kilometres at an average gradient of 9.8%. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 6 May 2026 - last updated 29 May: weather forecast for finale updated

The battle for overall victory has been decided, and the big question is if Jonas Vingegaard also wants to win a fifth mountain finish. Whatever the Dane decides, we are guaranteed an exciting fight anyway, as Felix Gall, Thymen Arensman and Jai Hindley are still battling for the remaining podium places. And if the race leader decides not to go for number five and the breakaway riders are given some leeway — which we doubt — then we could be treated to a battle on two fronts.

The route is so beautiful that it would almost be a shame for the course designers if these roads would not deliver a grand finale. Stage 19 runs through the Dolomites, with the riders taking on the Passo Duran (12.1 kilometres at 8.2%), Forcella Staulanza (comes in two parts: 5.8 kilometres at 9.7% and 6.3 kilometres at 6.7%), Passo Giau (9.9 kilometres at 9.3%), Passo Falzarego (10.1 kilometres at 5.6%) and the final climb to the Piani di Pezzè plateau (5 kilometres at 9.6%). On paper, this is undoubtedly the toughest challenge of the entire Giro, although, as always, the riders ultimately decide how hard a race becomes.

Weather forefast finale:
Initially, a rainy day had been forecast, which would have added an extra dimension to the stage, but the outlook improved steadily as the week went on. It will probably stay dry on the final climb today. For the latest weather conditions along the route, you can use the interactive weather map in the slideshow below this article.

Favourites 19th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia

*** Jonas Vingegaard, Thymen Arensman, Jai Hindley
** Egan Bernal, Felix Gall, Enric Mas, Giulio Ciccone, Davide Pinganzoli
* Michael Storer, Giulio Pellizzari, Damiano Caruso, Ben O'Connor, Sepp Kuss

Another interesting read: route 19th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia.