The Red Bull KM is returning to the Giro d’Italia for 2026, with a significant change to its placement that is intended to mix-up race dynamics. Originally introduced in 2025, the Red Bull KM feature will now be situated closer to the finish line in 20 of the 21 stages.
Red Bull is a global energy drink manufacturer and a prominent sponsor in professional cycling, recently increasing its involvement through the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe team. The Giro d’Italia, one of cycling’s three Grand Tours, is organised by RCS Sport and will take place on May 8–31, 2026.
In the updated 2026 format, the Red Bull KM will serve as a springboard into the stage finales. The first three riders to pass under the second Red Bull KM arch will be awarded time bonuses of 6, 4, and 2 seconds respectively.
According to RCS Sport, these will be the only intermediate time bonuses available for the general classification, as the only other bonus on offer is 10 seconds for the stage winner.
The impact of the initiative was demonstrated in 2025 by Isaac Del Toro, the Maglia Bianca winner and runner-up in the general classification, who secured a total of 14 bonus seconds through Red Bull-sponsored sprints.
The placement of the Red Bull KM varies across the stages to suit the terrain. For example, in Stage 4 from Catanzaro to Cosenza, it is positioned 11.6km from the finish, while in the final Stage 21 in Rome, it appears at 19.8km.
Urbano Cairo, Chairman of RCS MediaGroup, said “The partnership with Red Bull has added a new layer of competition to the Giro. By moving the Red Bull KM closer to the finish, we expect to see even more tactical battles between the general classification contenders.”
In addition to the competitive element, Red Bull will host on-site activations throughout the race to engage fans. The 2026 Giro d’Italia begins with a ‘Big Start’ in Bulgaria, featuring stages from Nessebar to Sofia, before returning to Italy.
The locations and distances for the Red Bull KM across the 20 stages of the 2026 Giro d’Italia are as follows:
- Stage 1 (May 8): Nessebar – Burgas (32.3km to the finish)
- Stage 2 (May 9): Burgas – Veliko Tarnovo (15.5km to the finish)
- Stage 3 (May 10): Plovdiv – Sofia (13.0km to the finish)
- Stage 4 (May 12): Catanzaro – Cosenza (11.6km to the finish)
- Stage 5 (May 13): Praia a Mare – Potenza (28.8km to the finish)
- Stage 6 (May 14): Paestum – Napoli (23.7km to the finish)
- Stage 7 (May 15): Formia – Blockhaus (11.9km to the finish)
- Stage 8 (May 16): Chieti – Fermo (25.3km to the finish)
- Stage 9 (May 17): Cervia – Corno alle Scale (11.4km to the finish)
- Stage 11 (May 20): Porcari (Paper District) – Chiavari (12.6km to the finish)
- Stage 12 (May 21): Imperia – Novi Ligure (13.4km to the finish)
- Stage 13 (May 22): Alessandria – Verbania (16.7km to the finish)
- Stage 14 (May 23): Aosta – Pila (17.0km to the finish)
- Stage 15 (May 24): Voghera – Milano (42.2km to the finish)
- Stage 16 (May 26): Bellinzona – Carì (12.4km to the finish)
- Stage 17 (May 27): Cassano d’Adda – Andalo (15.4km to the finish)
- Stage 18 (May 28): Fai della Paganella – Pieve di Soligo (16.7km to the finish)
- Stage 19 (May 29): Feltre – Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) (32.4km to the finish)
- Stage 20 (May 30): Gemona del Friuli – Piancavallo (23.7km to the finish)
- Stage 21 (May 31): Roma – Roma (19.8km to the finish)
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