Click on the flag to change language. The automatic translation of this website is done by “Gtranslate” and may contain translation errors. The English text is authoritative.
Italy 04 Mar 2026 Class 1.Pro – 1 day – UCI ProSeries
Website www.trofeolaigueglia.it
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The 63rd edition of the Trofeo Laigueglia (1.Pro) took place today, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. It was a thrilling race in the Ligurian hills that saw a dominant display by Team Bahrain Victorious.
2026 Results & Podium
The race was decided by a tactical masterclass from the breakaway in the final circuits around Laigueglia.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1st | Santiago Buitrago | Bahrain Victorious | 4h 52′ 12″ |
| 2nd | Romain Grégoire | Groupama – FDJ | + 14″ |
| 3rd | Antonio Tiberi | Bahrain Victorious | + 14″ |
Race Highlights
- The Winning Move: After the early breakaway was caught, a powerful group including Santiago Buitrago, Antonio Tiberi, and Romain Grégoire attacked on the penultimate ascent of the Colla Micheri.
- Buitrago’s Solo: Buitrago launched his winning move on the final climb of the Colla Micheri (approx. 10km from the finish), successfully holding off the chasers on the technical descent and the final stretch over the Capo Mele.
- Bahrain Dominance: By placing two riders on the podium, Bahrain Victorious controlled the finale, with Tiberi effectively disrupting Grégoire’s chase to allow his teammate to stay away.
- The Chase: A secondary group led by António Morgado (UAE Team Emirates) and Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana) finished roughly 30 seconds back, unable to close the gap on the hilly local circuit.
Race Profile & Program
The 2026 course maintained its classic, punishing “up-and-down” nature along the Italian Riviera:
- Total Distance: 192 km
- Key Climbs: The mid-race ascent of Testico followed by four brutal laps of the final circuit featuring the Colla Micheri (2 km at 8.2%) and the Capo Mele.
- Start/Finish: Albenga (Start) / Laigueglia (Finish).
Upcoming Races
The “Italian Spring” continues with the big one this weekend:
Tirreno-Adriatico: Starting Monday, March 9, 2026.
Strade Bianche: Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Trofeo Laigueglia is one of the most prestigious one-day races in Italy, traditionally serving as the unofficial “curtain-raiser” for the Italian professional road season. Since its inception in 1964, it has evolved from a local season-opener into a key tactical test for riders preparing for the Spring Classics, specifically Milan-San Remo.
Origins and Early Years
The race was founded in 1964 by the municipality of Laigueglia, a picturesque seaside town in Liguria.
- The First Winner: Italian rider Guido Neri took the inaugural victory in 1964.
- A “Hardman’s” Race: Unlike many early-season races that cater to pure sprinters, Laigueglia quickly became known for its punchy, hilly profile along the Riviera di Ponente, favoring aggressive attackers and “classicists.”
The Golden Era and Legends
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, the race grew in international stature, attracting the biggest names in cycling history:
- Eddy Merckx: “The Cannibal” won back-to-back editions in 1973 and 1974, cementing the race’s status as an elite international event.
- Classic Specialists: Other legendary winners include Freddy Maertens (1977), Roger De Vlaeminck (1980), and Giuseppe Saronni (1981).
- Modern Masters: In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was won by stars like Lance Armstrong (1993), Johan Museeuw (1995), Frank Vandenbroucke (1996), and Michele Bartoli (1997).
Record Holders
The title of “King of Laigueglia” belongs to Filippo Pozzato, who holds the record with three victories (2003, 2004, and 2013). Several riders have won it twice, including:
- Eddy Merckx
- Franco Bitossi
- Pierino Gavazzi
- Rolf Sørensen
- Moreno Moser
Classification Evolution
The race has steadily climbed the UCI hierarchy to maintain its relevance in the modern era:
- 2005–2014: Classified as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.
- 2015–2019: Upgraded to 1.HC (Hors Classe).
- 2020–Present: Part of the UCI ProSeries (1.Pro), the second-highest tier of professional road racing.
Recent Trends: The “Next Gen” Takeover
In the last few years, the Trofeo Laigueglia has become a launching pad for cycling’s youngest superstars.
- 2024: 20-year-old Lenny Martinez became the youngest winner in the modern era.
- 2025: Spanish phenom Juan Ayuso won a tactical four-man sprint.
- 2026: Santiago Buitrago continued the trend of aggressive climbing, winning solo after a masterclass on the Colla Micheri.
Historical Note: The race is famous for the Colla Micheri—a short, steep climb (1.9 km at 8.4%) featured in the final local laps. It is widely considered the place where the “real” race begins, and the rider who crests it first often descends into town to take the trophy.
