The most important information about the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026
- Wednesday, 27 May: Cassano d'Adda - Andalo
- 202 kilometres, 3300 vertical metres (hilly)
- 3 mountain classifications: KM 63.9 (3rd Cat), KM 88.1 (3rd Cat), KM 191.3 (3rd Cat)
- Intermediate sprint KM 143.8
- Red Bull Kilometres: KM 186.6
- Start: 12:10 pm, finish: approx. 5:16 pm
- Live ticker and results
The route of the 17th stage of the Tour of Italy
Especially in the last week, the Corsa Rosa has to cover quite a few transfer kilometres, which can be quite demanding. From Switzerland, the riders return to the outskirts of Milan, where they had already been the day before on the second rest day. The 17th stage begins in Cassano d'Adda, breaking the 200-kilometre mark for the first time since the Blockhaus stage.
Starting east of Milan, the route between Bergamo and Brescia initially winds its way flat to Lago d'Iseo. Once past the lake, two 3rd category mountain classifications await in quick succession at the Passo dei Tre Termini and the Cocca di Lodrino. The route then turns north-east. No major climbs await, but the terrain remains permanently slightly uphill.
The finale of the stage, the last 30 kilometres, is a climb. In Andalo-Lever, the last mountain classification (3rd category) awaits eleven kilometres before the finish. Although the 8.3 kilometres before it are only 3.8 per cent steep on average, they are extremely unrhythmic. This is followed by a sometimes steep, five-kilometre descent, which in turn is followed by six kilometres of climbing. Only the last 1500 metres of the stage are flat again.
Sporting assessment of the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026
The last time the Giro finished a stage in Andalo ten years ago, the winner was Alejandro Valverde. But the day was much more difficult back then. However, the Spaniard could also identify with this year's finish.
Although 3300 metres in altitude are on the menu, there are no big mountains. Nevertheless, the finale also has the potential to be relevant to the classification, at least in terms of seconds. However, with the difficult Giro finale in front of them, the GC riders will keep their legs still here, so the day will tend to be another one for the breakaway riders. The Tour has already proven often enough that Visma | Lease a Bike does not control entire stages at the drop of a hat.
As long as no rider enters the group of the day who is dangerous for the top 10 in the overall standings, there could again be huge gaps between the winner and the field. The finale is not necessarily made for a large peloton fighting doggedly for the day's victory.
