The 2026 Giro d’Italia will start in Bulgaria before crossing into Italian soil and covering a 3,459km route that will feature seven mountaintop finishes and 49,000 metres of climbing, culminating in a leg-breaking high-altitude finale that will set the scene for a dramatic fight for the maglia rosa before a traditional celebratory procession into Rome.
One time trial will shift the dynamics away from the mountain stages and could mark a decisive moment if the race comes down to mere seconds. However, it is more likely that the battle for the overall title will be fought on the slopes of the Blockhaus and Pila, and then in the mountain-heavy final week atop Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) and Piancavallo.
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Stage 7: Formia – Blockhaus (244km)
The peloton will face the longest stage of this Giro d’Italia in the first nine days of racing, and while some longer Grand Tour stages often have a flatter transitional feel, stage 7 will be one of the most decisive races for the overall contenders with a finish atop the famed Blockhaus.
It will mark the first of seven summit finishes of this Giro d’Italia, and while there are uphill finishes aplenty, the big ones to follow Blockhaus include summit finishes on stage 8 at Fermo, stage 14 at Pila, stage 16 at Carì, stage 17 at Anadlo, stage 19 at Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) and stage 20 at Piancavallo.
The peloton will set off on a large loop along the coast through Sperlonga and Gaeta before heading inland, where the climbing starts after 133km and doesn’t relent until the finish line.
The climbing will begin on the slopes of the category 2 Roccaraso, which is only 6.9km with an average gradient of 6.5%, but the steeper sections are closer to 12%. They will then tackle uncategorized climbs over Serra Malvone and Passo San Leonardo, which are only a taste of what lies ahead as the Blockhaus looms.
Without ascents like the Zoncolan, Mortirolo or Stelvio, Blockhaus will stand alone as one of the most recognisable climbs along this year’s Giro d’Italia. On the technical side, the climb uses the steep…
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