Giro di Sardegna makes a grand return after 15 years on hiatus

Italy can look forward to a return of one of its most iconic races in 2026. Giro di Sardegna is back on the UCI calendar after a 15-year hiatus for a 30th edition. Granted the 2.1 category, the five-day stage race will circle the whole island, with stage 3 start placed in the biggest city of Cagliari. The 2026 Giro di Sardegna will begin on February 25 and finish on March 1.

Giro di Sardegna is a race with rich history, dating all the way back to its first edition in 1958. And although the race held a stable place on the UCI calendar for two decades with iconic winners such as Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Rik Van Looy or Roger De Vlaeminck in the period, the race eventually faced struggles that caused it to disappear entirely after 1983 edition, after 1979 and 1981 editions were previously cancelled.

The race made a brief return in 2009 for three extra editions. However young Peter Sagan remains the race's last overall winner since 2011. That is, until the 1st of March when the new king of Sardegna will be crowned.

A total of 25 squads have been confirmed for the jubilee edition; Two WorldTour teams (Soudal - Quick-Step and XDS Astana), 4 WT development teams, and 9 ProTeams (including all four Italian-licensed formations) are expected to be the protagonists of the race. The startlist will be completed by 10 continental teams (including eight Italian).