Giro d'Italia in Bologna

The Giro d'Italia is Italy's most important cycling event and is one of the three Grand Tours, along with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, which are three-week stage races. Here is our guide to ensure you don't miss the highlights of the next edition of the Giro in the Bologna area.

When does the Giro d'Italia pass through Bologna?

• The route of the 2026 Giro d'Italia men's race will arrive in the Bologna area on Sunday 17 May 2026, with the 9th stage from Cervia to Corno alle Scale.

• The Giro d'Italia Women, on the other hand, will not pass through Bologna in 2026.

The Giro d'Italia and Bologna: a bit of history

The Giro and Bologna have always had a special relationship. The first stage of the very first Giro d'Italia was Milan-Bologna. It was 13 May 1909, a time when cycling was very different, as was the distance covered that day on bicycles that were a far cry from today's technological marvels: after 397 km, it was Luigi Ganna, who went on to win that Giro, who was the first to cross the finish line in Bologna.

Other unforgettable episodes include Fiorenzo Magni's time trial in San Luca on 2 June 1956: the cyclist was immortalised at the steepest point of the climb, clenching a tubular tyre between his teeth to better endure the pain caused by a broken collarbone.

Another episode linked to the city is the recent grand departure of the 2019 Giro d'Italia, again with a time trial in San Luca, where Primoz Roglic triumphed between two wings of the crowd. The day after, the second stage also started from Bologna, leaving fans with two days of indelible passion.