Giro Next Gen 2026, Stage 5: route, favourites and where to watch on TV

The 2026 Giro Next Gen heads to Campania and the coastline stretching between the Gulf of Gaeta and Pozzuoli. The 134-kilometre Bacoli–Bacoli stage is a true classic on the doorstep of Naples, featuring an 18-kilometre circuit to be tackled six times, with the Monte di Procida climb providing the defining feature of the course. The riders will travel in the opposite direction to the 2022 Giro d’Italia stage, when Thomas De Gendt triumphed in Procida after a long breakaway.

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The Route

A stage entirely set within the Phlegraean Fields, featuring an 18-kilometre circuit of constant ups and downs to be tackled six times. The repeated ascents of Monte di Procida (1.4 km at 6.3%) and the punchy Mofete ramp (920 metres at 8.4%) are set to make the race particularly nervous and unpredictable.

The Favourites

On a stage like this, just about anything can happen. The general classification contenders will need to stay alert, but plenty of explosiveness will be required to fight for victory. Aubin Sparfel (Decathlon CMA CGM Development Team) appears perfectly suited to this type of terrain, although the outcome remains wide open. Riders to watch also include Ludovico Maria Mellano and Mattia Negrente (XDS Astana Development Team), Federico Savino (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team), Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco), Daan Dijkman (UAE Team Emirates GenZ) and Elliot Rowe (Visma | Lease a Bike Development).

Giro Next Gen 2026, Stage 5: Schedule and TV Coverage

Bacoli – Bacoli, 134 km
Start Time: 1:10 PM
Official Start (KM 0): 1:30 PM
Expected Finish Time: around 4:30 PM

TV: The race dedicated to the brightest talents in world cycling will be broadcast live on the Discovery+ and HBO Max streaming platforms from 2:30 PM onwards.