Giro 2026 Favourites stage 9: All to play for on final climb

fotobureau Cor VosStage 9 of the Giro revolves around three climbs in the final 30 kilometres. The roads are flat until then, after which the route rises almost continuously, mostly at gentle gradients, before the last 3 kilometres ramp up to an average of 10.1%. (Slideshow route/profile)

First published on 4 May 2026

It would be easy to control the break, but just as easy to let it go as far up the road as you like. Apart from a small bump around the 110-kilometre mark, the route is as flat as it gets. That changes after 156 kilometres, when the road first climbs to Gaggio Montano for 3.5 kilometres at 7.2%, levels out briefly, and then continues uphill for another 11.3 kilometres at an average of 4.3%.

These are still not alarming gradients, and that initially remains the case on the final climb. The Corno alle Scale begins with 6 kilometres at 3.9%, but then gradually starts to bare its teeth. The next kilometre rises at 9.3%, before easing again and then kicking up in the final 3 kilometres to an average gradient of 10.1%.

In short, the finishing climb is an irregular affair with a brutal sting in the tail. Because the route beforehand is fairly unremarkable, you might think the GC riders have little to gain on the Corno alle Scale. Of course, some time can be won in the closing kilometres, but putting a rival properly on the ropes may be hard. So it seems logical that the GC teams may be perfectly happy to let the break build a sizeable advantage.

What makes it interesting is that the break will likely form on the flat, meaning climbers with the punch to excel on the steep finale may find it difficult to slip away. Perhaps they will receive some help from teammates who are strong on the flat…

Favourites 9th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia

*** Giulio Ciccone, Filippo Zana, Marc Soler, Javier Romo
** Wout Poels, Andreas Leknessund, Jhonathan Narváez, Christian Scaroni
* Victor Campenaerts, Alessandro Pinarello, Jan Christen, Chris Harper, Jan Hirt

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Another interesting read: route 9th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia.