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Italy 14 Jun – 21 Jun 2026 Class 2.2 – Stages – UCI WorldTour
Website https://www.gironextgen.it/en/
The complete official startlist detailing every individual rider and bib number for the 2026 Giro d’Italia Next Gen (2.2U) is currently best accessed live via official cycling databases (like ProCyclingStats or FirstCycling), as it is dynamically updated with daily DNS (Did Not Start) and DNF (Did Not Finish) changes while the race is actively running (June 14–21, 2026).
However, the key development teams and under-23 squads competing in this edition include:
Major Development & Continental Teams
- Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Development Team
- Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team
- Visma | Lease a Bike Development
- UAE Team Emirates Gen Z
- Lidl-Trek Future Racing
- Groupama-FDJ Continentale
- Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies
- Astana Qazaqstan Development Team
Top Italian Domestic & Continental Squads
- CTF Victorious (Bahrain Victorious development)
- Team Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna
- Biesse – Carrera
- General Store – Essegibi – F.Lli Curia
- Zalf Euromobil Fior
- MBH Bank Colpack Ballan
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The Giro d’Italia Next Gen 2026 (Giro Next Generation) is scheduled to take place from June 14 to June 21, 2026. The 2026 edition features a route focused on Southern Italy, starting in Reggio Calabria and concluding in L’Aquila.
The Giro Next Gen 2026 is strictly for the Under-23 (U23) age group.
Historically known as the “Baby Giro,” it is the most prestigious stage race for young talent on the road cycling calendar, featuring male cyclists who are under 23 years old looking to make the leap into the professional ranks.
The “U” in its official UCI category classification (2.2U) specifically denotes that it is a youth/Under-23 event.
2026 Race Schedule & Stages
The race consists of 8 stages covering approximately 1,050 km.
| # | Date | Route | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 14 | Reggio Calabria – Vibo Valentia | Hilly |
| 2 | June 15 | Tropea – Crotone | Flat/Hilly |
| 3 | June 16 | Sibari – Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere | Hilly |
| 4 | June 17 | Matera – Corato | Flat |
| 5 | June 18 | Bacoli – Bacoli | Circuit |
| 6 | June 19 | Velletri – Monte Livata | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 7 | June 20 | Sulmona – Piana delle Mele | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 8 | June 21 | Civita di Bagno – L’Aquila | Hilly/Individual Time Trial |
Key Highlights
- Southern Start: The race begins in Calabria and moves north through Basilicata, Puglia, and Campania.
- Decisive Climbs: Major general classification battles are expected on the summit finishes of Monte Livata (Stage 6) and Piana delle Mele (Stage 7).
- Final Showdown: The race often concludes with a technical stage or time trial in Abruzzo, specifically in the regional capital, L’Aquila.
## Stage-by-Stage Results
- Stage 1: Reggio Calabria › Vibo Valentia (168 km – Hilly)
- Winner: Kasper Haugland 🇳🇴 (Decathlon CMA CGM Development Team)
- Note: Haugland claimed a spectacular opening win after a massive 56km solo break.
- Stage 2: Tropea › Crotone (154 km – Flat/Hilly)
- Winner: Davide Donati 🇮🇹 (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies)
- Note: Donati took the victory in a fast mass bunch sprint.
- Stage 3: Sibari › Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere (166 km – Hilly)
- Winner: Jasper Schoofs 🇧🇪 (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development)
- Note: Schoofs took over the pink leader’s jersey after out-dueling his breakaway companions on the final Viggiano climb.
- Stage 4: Matera › Corato (152 km – Flat)
- Winner: Matteo Fiorin 🇮🇹 (Solme – Olmo – Arvedi)
- Note: Fiorin clinched the win in a reduced bunch sprint, narrowly beating out Nicolò Pizzi.
- Stage 5: Bacoli › Bacoli (134 km – Circuit/Hilly)
- Winner: Matisse Van Kerckhove 🇧🇪 (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development)
- Note: Van Kerckhove proved strongest after emerging from a reduced peloton late in the technical circuit.
- Stage 6: Velletri › Monte Livata (159 km – Mountain/Summit Finish)
- Winner: Lorenzo Mark Finn 🇮🇹 (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies)
- Note: The reigning U23 World Champion launched a brilliant tactical and climbing performance on the race’s Queen stage to solo away and claim the Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey).
- Stage 7: Sulmona › Piana delle Mele / Guardiagrele (135 km – Mountain/Summit Finish)
- Winner: Aubin Sparfel 🇫🇷 (Decathlon CMA CGM Development Team)
- Note: Sparfel held off a raging late-stage attack from Elliot Rowe and the GC leader Lorenzo Finn to win the sprint out of the late breakaway group.
- Stage 8: Civita di Bagno › L’Aquila (22.2 km – Individual Time Trial)
- The final showdown concluded in Abruzzo to crown the final General Classification winner.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Giro Next Gen, historically known as the “Baby Giro,” was founded in 1970 as an amateur version of the Giro d’Italia. It is the most prestigious stage race for Under-23 (U23) cyclists and has served as a springboard for some of the greatest champions in cycling history.
Historical Milestones
- 1970: The first edition was won by Giancarlo Bellini. In the early years, the race was dominated by Italian amateurs.
- The Golden Age of Champions: During the 1970s and 1990s, the race identified future Grand Tour winners such as Francesco Moser (1971), Marco Pantani (1992), and Gilberto Simoni (1993).
- Hiatuses: The race has faced several interruptions due to financial or organizational issues, notably from 2013 to 2016 and previously in 1987, 2005, and 2007–2008.
- 2017 Return: The event was relaunched specifically as a U23 race to align with the modern development structure of professional cycling.
- 2023 Takeover: RCS Sport, the organizers of the professional Giro d’Italia, took over the management of the race to further professionalize the event.
Former Winners Who Became Stars
Winning the “Baby Giro” is often a sign of a future world-class career. Notable recent winners who transitioned to the WorldTour include:
- Tom Pidcock (2020)
- Juan Ayuso (2021)
- Leo Hayter (2022)
Evolution of Names
Throughout its history, the race has been known by several official and colloquial names:
- Giro Ciclistico d’Italia (Original official name)
- Baby Giro (Common nickname)
- Girobio (Emphasizing a clean, biological passport approach in the late 2000s)
- Giro d’Italia Giovani Under 23
- Giro Next Gen (Current branding since 2024)
