Whispers have begun to emerge about the possible route for the 2026 Giro d’Italia. While nothing is confirmed, the rumour mill suggests the race could begin on the Black Sea coast, with at least one of the three Bulgarian stages finishing in the capital Sofia, potentially with an individual time trial.
As for the rest of the route, details remain scarce. There has been talk of stage finishes in Penne (Abruzzo) and Roccella Jonica (Calabria), though it remains to be seen whether the Giro will head that far south this time around. According to the mayor of Naples, efforts are underway to bring the race back to the city, which has hosted stages every year since 2022.
Reportedly, the first summit finish set for the Blockhaus. The 13.6 kilometres ascent averages 8.4%, with the final 10 kilometres ramping up to 9.4%. The Giro d’Italia last tackled the climb in 2022, with Jai Hindley emerging victorious ahead of Romain Bardet, Richard Carapaz, Mikel Landa, and João Almeida.
Further north, Chiavari, a seaside town on the Gulf of Tigullio, has reportedly expressed interest in hosting a stage finish. Likewise, Imperia, located a bit further up the coast on the Gulf of Genoa, is also said to be in line for a possible appearance in the race.
Cervinia, the site of Chris Froome’s legendary solo victory over the Colle delle Finestre in 2018, is apparently ready to welcome the Giro once more. Meanwhile, whispers suggest a summit finish in Carì, Switzerland, where Adam Yates claimed victory in the 2024 Tour de Suisse. The finishing climb to the mountain village is 11.2 kilometres long and averages 8%.
In northeastern Italy, the Passo Sant’Antonio in Val Comelico is rumoured to feature as the final climb of a Dolomites stage, while the infamous Monte Zoncolan — last seen in the 2021 edition, won by Lorenzo Fortunato — is also tipped for a potential return. Other possible summit finishes include the Passo Forcora and the Sella dei Generali.
In the final week, iconic climbs such as the Gavia and Stelvio are expected to be missing, but there are said to be finishes in Madonna di Campiglio (12.5 kilometres at 5.7%), and on the Passo San Marco (25.8 kilometres at 6.7%), Piani di Pezzè (5 kilometres at 9.8%) and Muro di Ca’ del Poggio (1.1 kilometres at 12.3%). That seems a bit excessive, so it’s likely that only some of those finishes will feature. Especially since the penultimate stage will run from Gemona del Friuli to Piancavallo. The finishing climb, which will be included twice, rises for 14.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.8%, with the first half by far the steepest.
As for the final stage, the Giro is expected to conclude in either Rome or Milan, but that’s also still under wraps.
The route of the 2026 Giro d’Italia will be revealed on 1 December.
Giro d’Italia 2026: profiles, videos
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