If you haven’t paid attention to pro cycling before but are getting into it this year, here’s what to expect, how to watch, who to watch, and which stages are going to be the most fun to tune into in this year’s Giro d’Italia, which started on Saturday. The 2026 edition has already been one to watch, for better or for worse, and it’s only going to get more dramatic from here.
When is the 2026 Giro d’Italia?
The 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia began Saturday, May 9, and runs through May 31. It has 21 stages and two rest days. The race began in a new location: Bulgaria. But it returns to Italy quickly, eventually finishing in Rome.
How long is the Giro d’Italia?
This year, the longest stage in the Giro is 207 kilometers (129 miles), and the shortest stage is a 31-kilometer (20-mile) individual time trial. Over the 21 stages, riders will rack up 3,459 kilometers of riding, including a whopping 49,150 meters of elevation gain. (Check out the route here.)
This is a big year: for some context, that’s 7,000 more meters of climbing and almost 200 kilometers more racing compared to the 2024 edition.
Who are the top racers to watch this year?
- Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike: Vingegaard knows how to win a Grand Tour, and with a big cast of supporting teammates like Sepp Kuss, along with a lack of some of his usual rivals (ahem, no Tadej here), he’s the most likely contender.
- Derek Gee-West of Lidl-Trek: Now that the drama from his fallout with his last team is past, will the newly married Gee-West perform at this year’s Giro the way he has in years past? He was one of the most aggressive young riders and has a handful of podium finishes from past years, and maybe more support from his new team will lead to that illusive win.
- Jai Hindley of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was the winner of the 2022 Giro, so could be a factor, or at least a contender.
- Sadly, Adam Yates—brother of Simon Yates, last years’ winner—was taken out in a bad crash on Stage 2. It would have been interesting to watch how Adam races now that Simon has retired!
Why do they keep talking about the Maglia rosa?
That’s the pink jersey the race leader wore—similar to the yellow jersey in the Tour de France!
Which stages should I tune into?
The 21 stages are comprised of 5 flat stages that will almost certainly end in a sprint, 9 hilly stages that could be a chance for a breakaway or could come down to a sprint, 6 mountain summit finishes that will likely be a breakaway win and a climber on the top of the podium, and one time trial.
Stage 7: This is the first mountain stage, so expect the GC contenders to pull out all the stops on the final climb of the day—tune in with about an hour to go, since the final climb is around 14 kilometers long.
Stage 10: The much-anticipated time trial will likely be a decisive stage, since it’s where Vingegaard could pull away and then spend the next 11 stages just sitting comfortably in the Maglia Rosa, but if watching time trials isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other fun stages to tune into.
Stage 12: If you’re a fan of Milan-San Remo, this is MSR but in reverse, with early mountains and a flatter finish that could end in a sprint…and some gorgeous coastal views in the middle as you watch.
Stage 15: Make sure to tune in for the finish in Milan, where riders will do 4 laps of a 10-kilometer circuit that will absolutely bring massive crowds. It’s always fun to watch a circuit race like this, with sharp turns, tight roads, and screaming fans.
Stage 21: A flat 131 km stage with a finish in Rome, will be a big day no matter what the GC (general classification) looks like at that point. Sprinters will try to eke out all the sprint points they can, and a win in Rome on the final stage is a huge feather in any rider’s cap.
Which inGamba guides have raced the Giro d’Italia?
It’s impressive how many inGamba guides have raced in the Giro over the years! Our Italian leadout man, Eros Poli, is the most obvious ride guide and Giro veteran. Sergio Paulinho also raced the Giro in 2015, though he was more often in the Vuelta and Tour de France. Ditto Manuel Cardoso.
How do I watch the Giro d’Italia?
In the US, you can watch each stage of the Giro d’Italia streaming on HBO MAX. Max is easy to use on any device, from your phone, so you can stream at work (we won’t tell), to your smart TV at home. Coverage begins at 7:45 EST for most stages.
In Canada, you can watch via FloBikes, which now offers a monthly subscription if you only want to watch a Tour or two.
Can I ride the Giro d’Italia?
It’s not the exact route, but if you join us on our Lakes and Great Climbs trip in Italy, you’ll be riding some of the same roads and iconic climbs that the pro peloton has traveled over the years. (Check out all upcoming Italian trips here.) If you want to hear stories about racing in the Giro, make sure that you book a trip with Eros Poli!
all photographs by James Startt
