Could Tadej Pogacar be tempted by the 2027 Giro d'Italia? - Latest route speculation claims iconic climbs and start potentially designed to suit Slovenian
Cycling
The latest speculation surrounding the potential route for the 2027 Giro d'Italia suggested that organisers could be targeting a Tadej Pogacar return to the race after he lit up the Grand Tour in 2024.
The former world champion won the 2024 Corsa Rosa in style as held the Maglia Rosa for much of the race, winning five stages on the way to re-claiming the Tour de France later that summer.
With the Slovenian ruled out for the rest of the season after crashing at the Vuelta a Espana, it seems that RCS hope to entice the 28-year-old back to Italy with rumoured elements of the course including a crossing into Slovenia, iconic climbs and a largely-northern route.
Although it seems the Tour de France will remain firmly in his plans for 2027, no details have emerged of Pogacar's plans next year. His Vuelta crash and injuries mean that he could well start the season earlier than usual, considering his reported push to make an early return this week at the European Championships.
Tadej Pogacar at the 2024 Giro d'Italia
Latest Giro d'Italia course speculation
According to Rai analyst Beppe Conti, the latest 2027 Giro d'Italia route speculation suggests that a start in Trieste could see the race cross over to Slovenia in a move that may be aimed at attracting Tadej Pogacar to the start.
Elsewhere, the analyst claimed that the route's sourthern-most point will be Naples in an edition primarily set to be raced in the northern half of the country. The Corsa Rosa is also in line to take in iconic climbs such as the Mortirolo and the Passo Gavia, with Abruzzo and the Adriatic Coast all set to feature.
The Giro will also be former Lidl-Trek boss Luca Guercilena's first route since becoming general director of RCS Sport's cycling division, a role that involves fronting the iconic Grand Tour. The official route for 2027 is set to be unveiled in November.
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Could Remco Evenepoel also be at the start?
Meanwhile, Remco Evenepoel could now be the next of cycling’s biggest Grand Tour names to turn his attention towards Italy.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Evenepoel has begun looking ahead to 2027 and has shown interest in returning to the Giro, four years after his last appearance.
No final decision has yet been made and Gazzetta stresses that the race remains an idea and possible scenario rather than a confirmed part of his programme, but the prospect would bring him back to a Grand Tour he has twice started and twice left unfinished.
Since his last Giro appearance in 2023, Evenepoel has twice stood on the Tour de France podium, finishing third on debut in 2024 before improving to second this summer behind Pogacar. Alongside his 2022 Vuelta a Espana victory, the Giro remains the only Grand Tour in which he has neither reached the final finish nor stood on the overall podium.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Bruyneel, for all his faults, guided a team to seven straight TdF victories. He's got his bona fides. Criticizing him on his tactical nous or team strategies seems a bit weak. He's entitled to his opinion.Occam12-11-2026
- You don't have to calculate it. Just watch "Anatomy of a G.O.A.T." and you will have all the numbers but... ... if you are Ford and you will calculate numbers of Lamborghini it will not help you. Just saying..averagecyclist12-11-2026
- anybody can calculate the numbers of Tadej , its not secret. We already have the parcour distance elevation data, we have the strava data of a number of riders for reference, we have Pogi's time vs distance. Form there Pogi numbers on every climb can be calculated. Having numbers means nothingabstractengineer12-11-2026
- Again completely stupid. THere is a reason Pogi is Goat, nobody can match his performances, it is physiologically impossible for a rider to equal thru training , nutrition(Pogi has better or equal) and equipment.(Pogi has better or equal) . its mainly genetic.abstractengineer12-11-2026
- Mathieu and Wout!!! You must start in CX this winter! (hope you reading comments here...) ;-)averagecyclist12-11-2026
- Who made you site boss?Lozza12-11-2026
- This shows so well you’ve never ventured out to a cycling event and checked out spectators.Jumpyjohn12-11-2026
- I preferred the one about amateur riders and passing (perhaps to explain why he can’t ride at 220 which would probably be more effective to return to shape).Jumpyjohn12-11-2026
- Not just ManU, far worse in some minority sports ventures.Jumpyjohn12-11-2026
- From your writing it sounds like you’ve been sharing your views with people here for quite a while, quite presumouptuous for a new profile.Jumpyjohn12-11-2026
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