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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Rafionain-Glas02-10-2026 - I don't think McNulty in rainbow will be the same as Vallieres or Conca. He's a bigger riderRafionain-Glas02-10-2026
- An exact repeat of Vollering last year!Rafionain-Glas02-10-2026
- Gautherat is such a nice pickup and his age. UAE never miss their the best in history by a mile and just continue to dominate year after year winning UCI yearly. Gonne keep dominating i assume their just so insanely good at picking young riders, developing them and they also have most money and never miss on buys. Dominating along time already and will for another long time i assume.miguel02-10-2026
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leedorney02-10-2026 - It would be sooo romantic for Vollering to lead out the Dutch team for one of her team mates to take the win - if they’re able to take the win, of course. Either way, I hope this race is as exciting as the women WC’s!anonymouscyclist02-10-2026
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- I think non of us believe it. Issue is that the world champs jersey will be seen as bottle carrier and i cannot see mcnulty leading as classic races or even winning stages. It will not show world champs jersey in a good light alas.paultryan200202-10-2026
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