It was 2:53 a.m. on 13 May 1909 when 127 riders set off from Piazzale Loreto in Milan for the first edition of the Giro d’Italia. Victory went to Luigi Ganna, a bricklayer whom cycling brought into the spotlight, fresh off his win at Milan–Sanremo and fifth place at the previous year’s Tour de France. Since then, the race has become an annual journey through the geography and history of Italy, transforming over the years into one of the most recognisable sporting institutions of Italian identity.
The Giro has crossed more than a century of Italian history, following its social and economic evolution. If one had to choose a soundtrack to narrate these changes, Ennio Morricone’s music would be among the most fitting: the “Maestro” knew how to define atmospheres and sustain storytelling like few others. The 2026 Giro route was unveiled in Rome, at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, the venue named after the two-time Oscar-winning composer. Here, the organisers presented an edition that marks a passing of the baton: it will be the last route signed by Mauro Vegni, who will leave the direction of the Corsa Rosa at the beginning of the year.
For the sixteenth time in its history, the Grande Partenza will be held outside national borders: the first three stages will in fact be raced in Bulgaria, while the finale will once again take place in Rome, which will host the stage finish for the eighth time. The numbers tell the story of a demanding Giro: 3,459 kilometers and 49,150 meters of elevation gain. The route is balanced, with a 40.2-km time trial, eight flat stages for sprinters, seven medium-mountain stages and five high-mountain stages, for a total of seven summit finishes.
Now the question is which champions will choose to line up at the start to aim for the maglia rosa and lift the Trofeo Senza Fine in the Italian capital – Giro 109 will conclude with the Roman circuit.
Speaking of history, Giro 2026 will offer several references to the past. Milan will host a stage finish for the ninetieth time, while the start from Gemona del Friuli will recall the 1976 earthquake, fifty years after the dramatic event.
The Montagna Pantani will be located at the Piani di Pezzè, while the Tappa Bartali—entirely in Tuscany—will coincide with the time trial from Viareggio to Massa. The Cima Coppi of this edition will instead be the Passo Giau, which at 2,233 meters represents the highest point of the entire…