The Giro d’Italia kicks off the cycling Grand Tour season once again. In 2026, the 109th edition will take place from May 8 to May 31, a three-week challenge that starts for the first time in history from Bulgaria (Nessebar) and concludes in Rome. We’ll witness a thrilling showdown among some of the biggest cyclists of the moment, especially Jonas Vingegaard, who aims for the Triple Crown after his Tour de France (2022 and 2023) and La Vuelta (2025) victories.
Route, key stages, and favorites of the 2026 Giro d’Italia.
THE FAVORITES
Jonas Vingegaard (29, Visma)
The Dane arrives in peak form for his first Corsa Rosa, having won the general classifications of Paris-Nice and Catalonia (six victories total). He is undoubtedly the top favorite for the title. No one else in this Giro pursues his goal: to become the eighth rider in history to achieve the Grand Tour Triple Crown. In the mountains, he is infinitely superior to his rivals, and he can also gain significant time in the 42 km time trial. Only a disaster could prevent him from lifting the Senza Fine in Rome.
Giulio Pellizzari (22, Red Bull Bora)
The Italian will take on the leadership of a Grand Tour with Red Bull Bora, a responsibility he hasn’t yet been tested for. He is one of the best climbers in this edition and also handles the time trial respectably. With a strong team to support him, he is confident after winning the recent Tour of the Alps and continues his progression, especially since 2025 when he exploded with a spectacular victory in La Vuelta (6th overall). Last year, he finished 6th in the Giro while working for Roglic until the Slovenian’s withdrawal.
Adam Yates (33, UAE)
The Briton, almost unexpectedly due to Almeida’s sudden withdrawal, assumes the leader role for UAE Team Emirates. Unlike his brother Simon, champion of the Corsa Rosa in 2025, he has never won a Grand Tour but is a reliable rider who regularly reaches the podium. The team’s strong collective support and a route that suits his climbing abilities are his main assets. At 33, this is one of his last opportunities to reach the top in a three-week race. He arrives confident after winning O Gran Camiño.
Thymen Arensman (26, Ineos)
The Dutchman has years of Grand Tour experience and has already won stages in both La Vuelta and the Tour de France, last year taking two high-mountain stages where he held off Pogacar and Vingegaard from distance. He is a very complete rider, though he has always lacked a small step in quality to compete with the best GC contenders. The flat time trial this year heavily favors him, where he can gain substantial time over other podium candidates.
Egan Bernal (29, Ineos)
The Colombian is in his best form since returning to competition after his terrible accident in early 2022. In the past Giro, he finished a respectable 7th, but in recent weeks his legs have been showing increasing strength.