The most important information about the 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026
- Saturday, 20 May: Gemona del Friuli - Piancavallo
- 200 kilometres, 3750 vertical metres (mountain finish)
- 3 mountain classifications: KM 85.8 (2nd category), KM 147.3 (1st category), KM 200.0 (1st category)
- Intermediate sprint KM 73.6
- Red Bull Kilometres: KM 176.3
- Start: 10:45 am, finish: approx. 4:00 pm
- Live ticker and results
The route of the 20th stage of the Tour of Italy
It is no coincidence that Gemona del Friuli is the starting point of the last decisive stage for the overall classification. Fifty years ago, the town was hit by a severe earthquake that caused widespread destruction and many deaths throughout the region. This year, the extreme north-east of Italy is commemorating this disaster - and the Giro is taking part.
The 200 kilometres of the 20th stage initially lead in a large flat loop around the town and into the extended surroundings of Udine before heading west. Shortly before the halfway point, the first of the 3,750 metres of climbing await in Clauzetto (3rd category), but before the going gets really tough, the route remains flat until Aviano as it winds along the foot of the Carnic Alps.
But then the route takes a detour into the mountains. 14.5 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.8 per cent await on the way to Piancavallo (1st category). The first six kilometres have a gradient of 9.5 per cent, at the top it becomes somewhat flatter. Once at the top, it's a long downhill. Steep for 15 kilometres, then only slightly downhill. And then the riders are back in Aviano - and have to climb up to Piancavallo again.
But then it's over. The finish line is also at the mountain classification.
Sporting assessment of the 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026
In 1998, Marco Pantani won in Piancavallo and went on to win the Giro. 22 years later, Tao Geoghegan Hart did the same. The mountain village has often been the winner of the Giro when it has been on the programme. In 2026, the overall winner could once again win the day here.
However, this time it would only be further confirmation of the supremacy that Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) has enjoyed in this Tour of Italy. However, the last mountain of the tour could play a role in the fight for the podium. The last chance to make up ground on the competition.
For some, this means playing it safe and just reacting, for others it's all or nothing. Under certain circumstances, this could start as early as the first crossing in Piancavallo. If he has recovered from his weak phase, Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) would be a man for a last hurrah of this kind, especially as he could also serve as a relay station for his team-mate Jai Hindley in the fight for the podium if the stage win doesn't work out.
But maybe it's also about the mountain jersey. There will definitely be some decisions to be made.
