RCS Sports & Events has announced the details for the eighth edition of the Giro-E Enel. The event, which is billed as the only Grand Tour in the world contested on pedal-assist road bikes, is scheduled to take place from May 12–31, 2026.
The 2026 edition will feature 18 stages covering a total of 1,091km. Participants will tackle more than 20,450m of elevation gain as the route travels from Calabria in southern Italy to the final parade in Rome.
Enel continues its role as title sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. The company uses the platform to promote sustainable mobility and the green economy. The 2026 route and the Enel Blue jersey for the overall leader were presented at the Enel store in Milan on March 24, 2026.
The presentation featured Marco Sanza, Head of Enel Commercial Italy, Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events, and Roberto Salvador, Giro-E Director.
The event officially launched with team captains Damiano Cunego and Justine Mattera. They tested the 2026 ‘Corrente Corallo’ edition e-bike produced by Lombardo Bikes, which serves as the Official E-Bike Manufacturer of the Giro-E.
Several rule changes have been introduced for the 2026 season that aim to enhance the participant experience. The traditional captains’ sprint at the end of each stage will be replaced by a team-by-team parade under the finish arch.
Additionally, after the finish line each day, a captain and a guest will be interviewed by the Giro d’Italia team. The number of participants is also set to increase. Official teams, which field up to five riders plus a captain, will have two ‘wild cards’ for new participants who have not previously taken part in the event.
The route follows alongside the calendar of the Giro d’Italia. The 1,091km total distance averages 60km per stage. The first and third weeks are expected to be the most demanding, with both weeks exceeding 7,000m of climbing.
Mountain stages include Roccaraso–Blockhaus, Sasso Marconi–Corno alle Scale, Agordo–Alleghe, and San Daniele del Friuli–Piancavallo. Stage 16 is designated as the toughest of the edition, featuring 2,700m of elevation gain over a 66km distance.
The longest stages exceed 80km, including Savona–Novi Ligure at 91.6km and La Spezia–Chiavari at 87.4km. The shortest stage will be Forte dei Marmi–Massa at 29.6km.
The Green Fun Village by Continental will accompany the race in every start city. It is designed to raise awareness of the energy transition and sustainable mobility. The village will open on May 9, 2026, in Catanzaro Lido, followed by the official teams presentation on May 10, 2026.
Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events said “The Giro-E Enel is an event that expresses great joy, and it has grown exponentially over the years thanks to a fantastic team. It was created with the aim of giving clients the opportunity to experience the Giro d’Italia. We started with just four people and a borrowed van; today it is a major event, with important partners and a unique stage in the world: that of the Corsa Rosa.”
He added “It is an integral part of the Giro, because it offers a unique opportunity to enjoy its atmosphere together with friendly people who are there to have fun—not to compete, but to live an experience on an assisted road bike, an outstanding touring vehicle that allows riders to cover many more kilometres while taking in the surrounding landscape.”
Roberto Salvador, Giro-E Director, added “Over the years, awareness and sensitivity among host cities towards the Giro-E have continued to grow. This is reflected in the increased number of lead-up activities in the stage cities this year, with many local initiatives. The Green Fun Villages will therefore be bigger, more vibrant, and increasingly strategic for the Giro-E.”
Partners for the 2026 edition include:
- Enel – Title Sponsor and Maglia Blu
- Continental – Main Sponsor Green Fun Village and Maglia Arancio
- Trenitalia – Official Green Carrier and Maglia Verde-Ride Green
- Valsir – Maglia Rossa
- Citroën – Official Mobility Partner
- Tudor – Official Timekeeper
- Castelli – Official Jersey
- Lombardo Bikes – Official E-Bike Manufacturer
