The first Grand Tour of the year 2026 is coming up. From the premiere start in Bulgaria to the finale in Rome, there is a clear favorite at the Giro d’Italia and at Red Bull the tour test run with a double lead. Everything you need to know about the Italy tour.
When will the Giro d’Italia 2026 take place?
The first big tour of the year begins on May 8th and ends after three weeks and two days on May 31st. The tour of Italy begins in Bulgaria for a total of three days. It starts on the Black Sea coast with the stage from Nessebar to Burgas. On the third day we also head for the capital Sofia.
How long and how difficult is the Giro?
A total of 3,459 kilometers and 49,150 meters of altitude await the professional cyclists on the second largest tour in the world. There are 21 stages, there are three rest days (May 11th, May 18th, May 25th). The tour will be tough, but last year there were 3,350 meters more altitude.
When does it get really serious?
The decision is only expected in the last week on the difficult stages in the Dolomites. On the queen stage on the third-to-last day from Feltre to Alleghe, the 2,233 meter high Passo Giau also has to be overcome. Before that, the only time trial over 40.2 kilometers takes place in Tuscany on the 10th stage.
How many teams are there in the Giro?
There are 23 teams on the start list for the Giro 2026, namely the 18 from the WorldTour, plus two of the three pre-qualified ProTeams (Pinarello, Tudor) and three ProTeams that the organizer provided with wildcards: Bardiani, Polti and Unibet.
Who do German cycling fans pay attention to?
The focus of German cycling fans is likely to be on Pascal Ackermann, who rides for the Australian racing team Jayco Alula. His captain is Irishman Ben O’Connor. The start of the 19-year-old German top talent Felix Engelhardt is also expected. Jonasrutsch should start for the Lotto-Intermarché team.
Pascal Ackermann on the Algarve Tour 2026
What are the highlights of the 2026 tour?
The queen stage this year leads on the third to last day over around 151 kilometers from Feltre to the mountain finish in Piani di Pezzè. This demanding Dolomite stage crosses legendary passes such as the Passo Giau, and the Passo Duran and Passo Staulanza are likely to be decisive.
A fantastic stage with a classic length of 246 kilometers will take place on May 15th from Formia to Blockhaus. The start in Bulgaria and the final in Rome will certainly also be absolute highlights.
Who is the favorite this year?
Giro defending champion Simon Yates has ended his career, superstar Tadej Pogacar is not at the start either – he focused on the classics and is getting in shape for the tour.
Simon Yates celebrates his victory at the Giro d’Italia
That’s why the path seems largely clear for Jonas Vingegaard. According to his own statements, the Dane is aiming for the “double” and wants to win the Giro this year and then the Tour de France in July. Vingegaard relies on his experience from the previous year, when, in his own words, after the tough Tour of France “Performance was a little better at the subsequent Vuelta”. Vingegaard is now hoping that a successful participation in the Giro will also have this effect on the Tour.
Vingegaard’s opponents include ex-Giro winners Egan Bernal (2021) and Jai Hindley (2022). Giulio Pellizzari (6th last year) and Felix Gall (5th in the 2025 Tour de France) are also to be expected. Joa Almeida and Richard Carapaz, however, had to cancel their planned start.
Who leads Team Red? Bull Bora Hansgrohe to?
Red Bull is already testing the “dual leadership” theme at the Giro, which will also be on the tour in July with Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz – neither of whom will be at the start in Italy. At the Giro, Giulio Pellizzari and Jai Hindley are the candidates for a top placement.
Who are they? Record champions?
The Giro d’Italia has been held 108 times so far, and 22 riders have appeared on the winner’s list more than once. A trio of legends even lifted the trophy five times: the two Italian national heroes Fausto Coppi and Alfredo Binda as well as one of the greatest of all time, Eddy Merckx from Belgium. The Giro triumphant has already come from Italy 69 times. Belgium follows well behind and has seven wins.
Which Rating jerseys there is?
The overall leader in the Giro wears the legendary Maglia Rosa across the streets. There is also the Maglia Azzurra (blue) for the best mountain rider, the Maglia Ciclamino (cyclamen red) for the best points collector and – as with the tour – the Maglia Bianca (white) for the best young professional.
Where can you watch the Giro d’Italia live?
Sportschau.de reports on all stages in the live ticker. “Eurosport” starts on May 8th with the kick-off in Nessebar/Bulgaria and will broadcast all stages up to the finale in Rome.
