The official entry list for the 2026 Giro Next Gen has been released, highlighting the top Under-23 talents set to compete in Italy this month.
Organised by RCS Sport, the race is scheduled to begin on June 14, 2026, in Reggio Calabria and will conclude on June 21, 2026, in L’Aquila. The eight-stage event covers 1,088.2km and features 14,850m of total elevation gain.
A team presentation is scheduled for June 13, 2026, at 18:30 CEST in Piazza Duomo, Reggio Calabria. The race serves as a premier international platform for emerging cyclists, with the 2026 edition including two summit finishes and a final individual time trial to decide the Maglia Rosa.
International television distribution for the event is handled primarily by Warner Bros Discovery, with coverage on HBO Max and Discovery+ platforms. In Italy, the race will be broadcast on Rai, and in Belgium on Proximus. North American viewers can access live coverage via FloSports and HBO Max. In South America, the race will air on DirecTV and ESPN. Coverage in the Asia-Pacific region includes Zhibo TV in China, JSports in Japan, and SBS in Australia.
U23 World Champion Lorenzo Mark Finn is expected to start for the Red Bull–Bora Hansgrohe Rookies, bringing the rainbow jersey to the event for the first time in 20 years. Despite a recent crash at the Tour of the Alps, the rider remains a primary favourite for the overall victory.
His principal rivals for the general classification include Henrique Bravo of Soudal–Quick-Step Devo Team, who recently secured wins at the Tour of Antalya and the Oberösterreich Rundfahrt. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Development Team has named a strong duo in Kasper Borremans and Jan Jackowiak, whilst Daan Dijkman enters the race following a victory at the U23 Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
French rider Remi Daumas and Belgian Kamiel Eeman, winner of the Course de la Paix, are also expected to contend. The field includes two riders who secured top-ten finishes in the 2025 season: Matteo Vanhuffel and Matteo Scalco.
For those targeting stage victories, Aubin Sparfel returns to the race after winning the points classification in 2025. Representing the Decathlon CMA CGM Development Team, Sparfel has already claimed two stages at the Tour de Bretagne this year. Previous stage winners Adam Rafferty and Seth Dunwoody are also confirmed at the start.
The sprint finishes are expected to feature Davide Donati, a winner of the U23 Paris–Roubaix. He will face competition from riders such as Patrick Frydkjaer, Mirko Bozzola, and Halvor Dolven. Other athletes to watch on mixed terrain include Jack Ward, Mattia Negrente, and Cameron Rogers.
The opening stage on June 14, 2026, travels from Reggio Calabria to Vibo Valentia over 168km, featuring the Valico della Limina climb. Stage 2 is a 154km flat route from Tropea to Crotone, whilst Stage 3 introduces the first mountain test from Sibari to Villa d’Agri di Marsicotevere.
Stage 4 traverses the Murge plateau for 152km, ending in Corato. The fifth stage, held on June 18, 2026, consists of a technical circuit in the Campi Flegrei area with steep ramps reaching 15%. Stage 6 finishes atop Monte Livata after a 16km climb, followed by Stage 7 which features a selective finish at Piana delle Mele in Guardiagrele.
The race concludes on June 21, 2026, with a 22.2km individual time trial from Villa Sant’Angelo to L’Aquila. The final kilometre of the time trial averages 7%, providing a demanding end to the competition.
