Giro Next Gen 2026 Unveiled in Calabria

Following the warm welcome received by the Giro d’Italia caravan upon its return from Bulgaria, the Giro Next Gen 2026 was officially presented today at the Regional Citadel in Catanzaro. The race dedicated to the greatest Under 23 talents in world cycling will start on June 14 from Reggio Calabria and finish on June 21 in L’Aquila.

Calabria, already a key protagonist of the professional Giro d’Italia with Stage 4 from Catanzaro to Cosenza – the first stage after the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria – and the start of Stage 5 from Praia a Mare to Potenza, will host the first two stages of the Giro Next Gen as well as the start of Stage 3, with the race crossing all five provinces of the Region.

The Route

Eight stages, 1,082.1 km and 14,750 metres of elevation gain. After two opportunities for the sprinters in the opening stages, the race will face its first major challenge with the Sibari–Villa d’Agri di Marsicotevere stage, featuring 3,200 metres of climbing. From Basilicata to Puglia with the Matera–Corato stage, the final real chance for the sprinters with a finish close to the Casillo (Altograno) plant, before entering the decisive second half of the Giro Next Gen in the battle for the final Maglia Rosa.

Stage 5 will take place entirely in Campania, starting and finishing in Bacoli, and will suit the puncheurs. The final trio of stages will be extremely demanding, featuring the summit finishes at Monte Livata from Subiaco – the stage held in Lazio – and Piana delle Mele (Guardiagrele), before the concluding individual time trial from Civita di Bagno to L’Aquila. The last two stages will take place entirely in Abruzzo. The full stage profiles of the Giro Next Gen 2026 will be revealed at a later date.

Quotes

Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events: “The bond between the Giro d’Italia and Calabria is renewed and strengthened not only through the Giro d’Italia itself, but also through the Giro Next Gen, an event that represents the future of our sport and its protagonists. The Grande Partenza in Calabria, crossing all five provinces of the Region, will also help showcase a territory that has always demonstrated extraordinary hospitality towards the Corsa Rosa. We expect this warmth and passion throughout the entire journey across Southern and Central Italy, which for the first time since we became organisers is directly involved in the route. The grand finale will take place in Abruzzo, a region that has hosted us for many years and that will crown the winner of a Giro Next Gen that we hope will deliver the same level of excitement as in recent editions”.

Filippo Mancuso, Vice President of the Calabria Region: “We are happy and honoured to host two of the most important cycling events in the world. Calabria will take centre stage, and these occasions will help showcase our unique qualities and demonstrate that our Region is ready to host events of such international importance. These events will help us promote our territory, our food and wine tradition, our culture, and they will also be a driving force for our economy”.

Marco Marsilio, President of the Abruzzo Region: “Abruzzo once again confirms itself as a land of great sport and a privileged stage for international events. Hosting the final two stages of the Giro Next Gen 2026 is a source of pride and an extraordinary opportunity for visibility. We are talking about the most important Under 23 stage race in the world, a true breeding ground for the champions of tomorrow. Welcoming a mountain stage and an individual time trial means offering unique technical and scenic settings capable of highlighting the talent of young riders while at the same time promoting the excellence of our territory. Abruzzo therefore returns to centre stage not only in top-level cycling, but also in the future of this sport, helping the next generation of champions emerge. We will continue to invest in sport as a driver of development, promotion and identity, convinced that events like this strengthen the connection between territory, community and sporting values”.

Cordiano Dagnoni, President of Federciclismo: “The Federation warmly welcomes this new edition of the Giro Next Gen, which will take place entirely in Central and Southern Italy. This is a choice with deep technical and, above all, cultural value. Our sporting movement cannot do without the South, given the passion and participation it consistently provides. For some time now, the Federation has closely followed the activity of regions that have historically contributed champions and high-level events, both at youth and elite level. I hope that the excellent results achieved in recent weeks by our young riders can continue at the Giro Next Gen and that we may finally celebrate an Italian winner again, 15 years after the last Italian success”.

Giusy Virelli, Project Manager at RCS Sports & Events: “The 2026 Giro Next Gen will feature a comprehensive route that promises to be highly spectacular, in keeping with those of recent years. The first half is very varied, with stages suited to sprinters and an early test for the GC contenders on the third stage. The final stretch, on the other hand, will be entirely focused on the battle for the general classification. We believe this route will provide an ideal testing ground for the champions of tomorrow, and we would like to thank the regions and local authorities that have agreed to host the event, bringing it back to central and southern Italy after so many years”.

Paul Magnier: “I have wonderful memories of the Giro Next Gen, and I must say that in 2024 the start was very similar to the beginning of this year’s Giro d’Italia. Two stage wins, the Maglia Rosa, and the lead in the points classification — a very similar start that gives me confidence for the upcoming stages as well. I always try to improve, and races like the Giro Next Gen have been extremely valuable in my development”.

Gianni Bugno: “I achieved one of my most beautiful victories in Southern Italy, in Bari, at the Giro d’Italia 1990. The route looks demanding to me, and I am sure that whoever stands out here will also be able to shine in the Giro for the professionals”.

Sonny Colbrelli: “I took part in the Giro Next Gen and, compared to when I was racing, the step from winning among the Under 23s to winning at the highest professional level is now much shorter. Paul Magnier is the perfect example of this change. It is a very balanced route, favourable to sprinters in the first part and very hard and selective in the second. We are going to witness a great race”.