Tour de Suisse 2026 Route stage 2: Locarno - Locarno

Thursday 18 June – The second stage of the Tour de Suisse features 2,093 metres of climbing over a 157.7-kilometre route. The final 17 kilometres feature two short climbs back-to-back, the last of which averages 9.3%.

First published on 15 June 2026 - last updated 17 June: weather conditions added

After the neutralised start on the shores of Lake Maggiore and the official start in Gordola, the riders cover 10 kilometres on the flat before swinging onto a southern loop. First up is the Monte Ceneri, a 5.1-kilometre climb averaging 6.5%. A gradual descent leads towards Lugano, but before reaching the city the route turns back in the opposite direction. The return leg starts with a 2.1-kilometre climb at 5.7%, and on rolling roads the riders head back towards the Monte Ceneri. Approached from the other side, it is a far less demanding ascent.

The route then continues northwards and, after Bellinzona, the riders spend dozens of kilometres on the same roads used in stage 16 of the recent Giro. In fact, after passing through Biasca they even tackle part of the same loop, only turning off before the hardest section begins.

Via Biasca, the route returns to Bellinzona and heads back towards Gordola, the kilometre zero point, but just before reaching it the riders turn right for a punchy finale. First, the road climbs 3.4 kilometres at 7.1% to Fanghi, and immediately after the descent they face a wall-like 1.4-kilometre climb averaging 9.3% on the Via Consiglio Mezzano.

From the top of that ramp, there are 8.2 kilometres remaining to the finish. The opening 3 kilometres are downhill, while the remainder is gradually downhill all the way to the line.

The Tissot Kilometre offers bonus seconds of 3, 2 and 1 at two points, while the first thee riders across the finish line gain 10, 6 and 4 seconds.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX stage 2 Tour de Suisse 2026.

Weather conditions:
Start: 30°C, sunny, south-south-westerly wind (force 2)
Finish: 32°C, sunny, south-south-westerly wind (force 2)

We will update the weather forecast on the morning of the stage. For the current conditions along the route, please click on the interactive weather map in the slideshow below this article.

Stage 2 is scheduled to start at 14:00 and the race is expected to finish around 17:45 - both local times (CEST).