Giro dell'Emilia 2026 preview, profile, favourites & predictions - WIll Tom Pidcock finally take the big win?

Cycling
Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 13:30
Tom Pidcock on Stage 10 of the 2026 Tour de France
The 2026 Giro dell'Emilia will take place on the 3rd of October 2026 - simultaneous to the European Championships. The classic, one of the main features of of the Italian autumn classics block, is a race with a great amount of history and also big winners over its history. On the Madona di San Luca, a new name might be crowned this Saturday. Below, you will find the favourites and route of the 2026 edition.
The Italian one-day race was first held back in the early 1900's, making it one of the oldest and longest-lasting events in all of professional cycling. The Giro dell'Emilia has its own story. Despite not being a World Tour event, the race carries an iconic course, over a century's worth of winners and an incredible palmarès. Eberardo Pavesi was the very first in 1909.
The race had several years during both World War I and World War II where it did not take place, and has had many of Italy's finest take victories in Bologna: Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Francesco Moser, Michele Bartoli, Ivan Basso, Davide Rebellin... Eddy Merckx was the first non-Italian winner, taking the win back in 1972. He was soon followed by another historic Belgian figure: Roger de Vlaeminck.
In the 21st century big figures have inserted their name into the race's history: Jan Ullrich, Nairo Quintana... Enric Mas beat Tadej Pogacar in 2022; whilst Primoz Roglic has achieved three victories in 2019, 2021 and 2023. Tadej Pogacar himself won back in 2024 whilst most recently it was Isaac del Toro to be crowned in San Luca.

Giro dell'Emilia date, schedule and where to watch 

CyclingUpToDate will bring you coverage of the Giro dell'Emilia which is set to take place on Saturday the 3rd of October. Alongside it, previews, results and words from the day's headliners.
The race will be broadcast on the traditional channels, most notably HBO/MAX, and Eurosport. In the United States the race will not be broadcast live but can be followed on HBO; In Canada it will be possible to watch on FloBikes whilst in the United Kingdom the race will be broadcast on TNT Sports.
DateDayStart time (CET)Finish time (CET)
3 OctoberSaturday10:5015:10
CountryTV
United StatesNone (Livestreaming available)
CanadaFloBikes
United KingdomTNT Sports
ItalyRai Sport

Profile: Ferrara - Bologna

Profile of the 2026 Giro dell'Emilia
Ferrara - Bologna, 198 kilometers 
The race follows its traditional course, with climbers and classics specialists having a major opportunity in the city of Bologna. But before they get there, they will take on over 100 kilometers of flat roads in the Emilia-Romagna region, starting off in Ferrara.
198 kilometers and 2300 meters of climbing, the numbers tell one story but the profile tells a different one. The last two thirds of the race feature two difficult climbs before entering the circuit in Bologna which will see the race come to its conclusion.
The riders will go up the climb to the Madonna di San Luca, 2.1 kilometers at 9.4%, but its its maximum gradients much higher... The climbs end with 36, 27, 18 and 9 kilometers to go, whilst the finish also coincides with the top of the ascent.
But inbetween climbs there is very little rest. The descent is quite technical and can in itself create gaps between the favourites, which there is still a hilltop inbetween the two descending phases which is just over 1 kilometer long at 5%.

Preview Giro dell'Emilia 2026

Tom Pidcock has finished second over the past two editions and is lined up to be one of the big favourites to take victory in a race that suits him to perfection.
Inbetween the contenders who have announced their presence in the Italian race early on are Giulio Pellizzari, Mikel Landa and Lorenzo Fortunato.
An in-depth preview will follow...

List of winners Giro dell'Emilia 

Year 1st2nd3rd
2025Isaac Del ToroTom PidcockLenny Martinez
2024Tadej PogačarTom PidcockDavide Piganzoli
2023Primož RogličTadej PogačarSimon Yates
2022Enric MasTadej PogačarDomenico Pozzovivo
2021Primož RogličJoão AlmeidaMichael Woods
2020Aleksandr VlasovJoão AlmeidaDiego Ulissi
2019Primož RogličMichael WoodsSergio Higuita
2018Alessandro De MarchiRigoberto UránDylan Teuns
2017Giovanni ViscontiVincenzo NibaliRigoberto Urán
2016Esteban ChavesRomain BardetRigoberto Urán
2015Jan BakelantsAndrea FediÁngel Madrazo
2014Davide RebellinÁngel MadrazoFranco Pellizotti
2013Diego UlissiChris Anker SørensenDavide Villella
2012Nairo QuintanaFredrik KessiakoffFranco Pellizotti
2011Carlos BetancurBauke MollemaRigoberto Urán
2010Robert GesinkDaniel MartinMichele Scarponi
2009Robert GesinkJakob FuglsangThomas Löfkvist
2008Danilo Di LucaDavide RebellinAlexandr Kolobnev
2007Fränk SchleckDavide RebellinChris Horner
2006Davide RebellinDanilo Di LucaGiuseppe Di Grande
2005Gilberto SimoniFränk SchleckMirko Celestino
2004Ivan BassoFrancesco CasagrandeRinaldo Nocentini
2003José Iván GutiérrezAlexandr KolobnevDavide Rebellin
2002Michele BartoliIvan BassoMichael Rasmussen
2001Jan UllrichFrancesco CasagrandeDavide Rebellin
2000Gilberto SimoniMassimo CodolMirko Celestino
1999Michael BoogerdMassimo DonatiMarcello Siboni
1998Mirko CelestinoMassimo DonatiMichele Bartoli
1997Alexander GontchenkovSergio BarberoFelice Puttini
1996Michele BartoliLuc LeblancBjarne Riis
1995Davide CassaniMassimo DonatiAlessio Di Basco
1994Francesco CasagrandeMaurizio FondriestDavide Cassani
1993Maurizio FondriestPascal RichardClaudio Chiappucci
1992Gianni BugnoDavide CassaniStephen Hodge
1991Davide CassaniIvan GottiCharly Mottet
1990Davide CassaniGilles DelionYvon Madiot
1989Dmitri KonyševMaurizio FondriestMauro Gianetti
1988Tony RomingerMaurizio FondriestRolf Sørensen
1987Jean-François BernardMoreno ArgentinJiří Škoda
1986Hubert SeizDag Erik PedersenPierino Gavazzi
1985Acácio da SilvaClaudio CortiMarino Lejarreta
1984Ezio MoroniMichael WilsonRoberto Ceruti
1983Cesare CipolliniDaniele CaroliDag Erik Pedersen
1982Pierino GavazziSilvano ContiniEmanuele Bombini
1981Pierino GavazziFrancesco MoserSilvano Contini
1980Gianbattista BaronchelliWladimiro PanizzaJørgen Marcussen
1979Francesco MoserPierino GavazziSilvano Contini
1978Bernt JohanssonWladimiro PanizzaAlfio Vandi
1977Mario BecciaBernt JohanssonPhil Edwards
1976Roger De VlaeminckItalo ZilioliGlauco Santoni
1975Enrico PaoliniFelice GimondiAlfredo Chinetti
1974Francesco MoserRoger De VlaeminckTino Conti
1973
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