Giro d'Italia 2026 route, map, stage-by-stage schedule dates, times, location, how to watch, tv, streaming, winner, results.
The cycling season steps up a gear as the annual Grand Tours curtain-raiser, the Giro d’Italia, roars into life. We’re set for another three-week adventure as the 109th edition of the race gets underway on May 8.As well as being one of the three-week Grand Tours, the Giro d’Italia is also part of the important Triple Crown of Cycling, along with the Tour de France and the UCI Road World Championships.
Sportshistori.com takes an in-depth look at the Giro d'Italia 2026, including the full stage-by-stage schedule and where you can watch or stream all the race action live each day.
 |
| Source: giroditalia.it |
When is the Giro d’Italia 2026?
The Giro d'Italia 2026 starts on Friday, May 8, and concludes on Sunday, May 31. There are three rest days during the three weeks, with 21 days of racing split between flat, hilly, and mountain stages, plus one individual time trial.
Where does the Giro d'Italia 2026 take place?
The Giro d'Italia 2026 route spans approximately 3,459 km with around 48,700–52,000 metres of elevation gain. Historic first: The race begins with the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria — the first time the Giro has ever started in Bulgaria. After three stages there, the race transfers to Italy and finishes in Rome.
Giro d’Italia 2026 route: Every stage schedule, winner results, date, start-times
All times CET (Central European Time)
May 8, Friday: Stage 1 (Bulgaria) – Nessebar to Burgas (147 km, flat)
May 9, Saturday: Stage 2 (Bulgaria) – Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo (221 km, hilly)
The Maglia Rosa changed shoulders by the end of the second stage as Guillermo Thomas Silva survived a late attack in a charged photo finish in the final sprint of a dramatic day in the final kilometre to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria. Florian Stork finished in second place, with Giulio Ciccone third.
May 10, Sunday: Stage 3 (Bulgaria) – Plovdiv to Sofia (175 km, flat)
Uruguayan Guillermo Thomas Silva comfortably Top the Giro general Standing after Stage three.
But the Third stage in Bulgaria belonged to Paul Magnier who won it in a photo finish - a tighter ending than most expected.
French rider Magnier, also won the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia, held off Jonathan Milan who finished second and Dylan Groenewegen third in the long sprint in Sofia.
May 11, Monday: Rest Day
May 12, Tuesday: Stage 4 – Catanzaro to Cosenza (138 km, flat/hilly)
May 13, Wednesday: Stage 5 – Praia a Mare to Potenza (203 km, hilly)
May 14, Thursday: Stage 6 – Paestum to Napoli (approx. 142 km, flat)
May 15, Friday: Stage 7 – Formia to Blockhaus (mountain stage)
May 16–17: Stages 8 & 9 (full details available on official site)
May 18: Rest Day
May 19–24: Stages 10–15 (including time trial and mountain stages)
May 25: Rest Day
May 26–30: Stages 16–20 (high mountains in the Dolomites and Alps)
May 31, Sunday: Stage 21 – Rome to Rome (approx. 131 km, flat – ceremonial finish)
Total Distance: 3,459 km
How to watch Giro d'Italia 2026 live TV guide, online live streaming
UK & Ireland: TNT Sports / HBO Max
USA: HBO Max / truTV
Canada: FloBikes
Australia: SBS (free on SBS On Demand)
Italy: Rai
France: La Chaîne L’Équipe
Germany: Eurosport
Spain: EITB / Teledeporte
Giro d'Italia Facts & Figures
Most overall wins: Fausto Coppi, Alfredo Binda, Eddy Merckx (5 each)
Most stage wins: Mario Cipollini (42)
Youngest winner: Fausto Coppi (20 years, 268 days)
Oldest winner: Fiorenzo Magni (34 years, 180 days)
The 2026 Giro promises excitement with its historic Bulgarian start, tough mountain stages, and a grand finale in Rome.
_______
0 Comments