Giro d'Italia 2026 - Alessandria-Verbania Stage

The Giro d'Italia restarts from Alessandria

On May 22, 2026, the Corsa Rosa experienced one of its most anticipated days in Piedmont: Alessandria, the capital of its namesake province, hosted the start of the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia. The 189-kilometer route connected the Po Valley to Lake Maggiore, ending in Verbania. For the city, this was a significant comeback, as the Giro had not stopped in Alessandria for over two decades.

The start at Piazza della Libertà

The heart of the event was the city's main square, Piazza della Libertà, which hosted the signature podium and the Giro's commercial village. Riders and accredited vehicles reached the starting area from Piazza Garibaldi, the designated parking zone for teams, press, sponsors, and the advertising caravan. After the traditional sign-in, the official start was given at 12:40 PM, followed by a neutral start through the city center before the race officially began at km 0 at 12:55 PM.

A stage for sprinters (and more)

The route featured a largely flat stretch for about 160 km, passing through major towns like Casale Monferrato and Vercelli, before heating up in the final 30 kilometers. This is where the day's total elevation gain (1,400 meters) was concentrated, with two short but demanding climbs: Bieno and Ungiasca, the latter featuring ramps exceeding 10%. After the descent, the stage concluded with a sprint finish on the Verbania lakefront.

A city in celebration

To accompany the stage, the Municipality of Alessandria organized a rich calendar of events that began on April 7 and grew week by week until race day: cultural, sporting, and educational events designed to engage the local community and all age groups. Iconic initiatives included the "When the Grey meets the Pink" bike ride on May 18, which combined cycling and football in a procession from the Alessandria Calcio Museum to the Moccagatta Stadium, as well as themed book presentations on May 19 and 20.

Logistics and hospitality

To welcome the public—estimated between 5,000 and 10,000 people along the city route—gradual road closures were implemented alongside a free shuttle service from peripheral parking lots to the city center. It was a day where Alessandria and Piedmont showcased themselves to the world under the lens of live RAI television coverage.