Giro d'Italia 2026, Stage 21: route, favourites and where to watch on TV

Giro d’Italia 2026, Stage 21: route, favourites and where to watch on TV

For the fourth consecutive year, Rome embraces the Giro d’Italia. The Italian capital is ready to welcome the Corsa Rosa for its grand finale, with the traditional celebratory parade through the Eternal City. A stage designed to honour all the riders who have made it to the finish of this edition, to celebrate the Maglia Rosa Jonas Vingegaard, and to crown the final stage winner of the race.

On paper, the route profile points towards a sprint finish. However, the nature of the Rome circuit could also open the door to a bold move from one or several attackers willing to take a gamble before the sprinters have their say.

WATCH THE DAILY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GIRO D’ITALIA!

Don’t miss a single pedal stroke of the world’s toughest race in the world’s most beautiful country!

The Route

The route of the Rome stage covers 131 km. After last year’s start from the Vatican, the peloton will once again begin the final stage from the EUR district, as in previous editions. From there, the riders head towards the coast at Ostia, where they will contest the intermediate sprint, before turning back towards the heart of the Italian capital.

The final circuit measures 9.5 km and will be completed eight times. As tradition dictates, the route passes some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks: the Colosseum, Via dei Fori Imperiali, Piazza Venezia and the Lungotevere, before finishing on Viale del Circo Massimo. After the final lap, the riders will finally be able to celebrate the conclusion of this Giro d’Italia.

The Favourites

In the event of a sprint finish, all eyes will be on the showdown between Jonathan Milan (Lidl–Trek) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step). So far, there has been little contest: the Frenchman has won three sprints out of three, but Milan has unfinished business with Rome, having suffered a puncture on the final lap here two years ago.

The Rome circuit does not feature a technical finale, meaning the sprint is likely to favour pure power. Also keep an eye on Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious), third in Pieve di Soligo just a few days ago, and Corbin Strong (NSN Cycling Team).

Predict the winner with our ‘stage winner Predictor’. CLICK HERE, head to the FanZone, and earn one entry into the final prize draw for every vote you cast in the Join the FanZone Challenge. (Voting is open from 8:00 PM on the day before the stage until 10:00 AM on race day.)

Giro d'Italia 2026, Stage 21: schedule and TV coverage

Rome-Rome (131 km)
Sign-on ceremony opens: 2:15 PM
Live coverage starts: 1:55 PM
Riders line up: 3:40 PM
Official start (Km 0): 3:45 PM
Expected finish: 6:35 PM

TV: As always, RAI will bring every stage of the Giro d’Italia live and free-to-air to the Italian public. The day’s television coverage begins with one hour of Giro Mattina on Rai Sport HD, featuring rider presentations and pre-race interviews. This is followed, on the same channel, by Prima Diretta, covering the start of the stage through to 2:00 PM. For the key moments of the race, coverage moves to Rai 2, where Giro in Diretta runs until 4:15 PM, immediately followed by Giro all’Arrivo, which covers the decisive phases of each stage through to the finish line. Straight afterwards comes the traditional post-race analysis show, Il Processo alla Tappa, usually lasting around 45 minutes, without viewers needing to change channel. The technical and sporting coverage continues on Rai Sport HD with TGiro at 8:00 PM, featuring interviews, reports and analysis, followed by Ri-Giro at midnight, where the most dedicated fans can relive the defining moments of the stage in full detail. In addition, the race will be broadcast live in full on Eurosport, as well as via the on-demand platforms Discovery+ and HBO Max.