Date: Wednesday, May 27
Distance: 202km
Start location: Cassano d'Adda
Finish location: Andalo
Start time: 11:10 BST / 12:10 CEST / 06:16 EDT
Finish time (approx.): 16:16 BST / 17:16 CEST / 11:16 EDT
At almost double the length of the Tuesday’s stage, stage 17 of this year’s Giro d’Italia is an attritional 202 kilometre slog accruing 3,300 metres of elevation. While there aren’t any severe climbs as such, the toll of the rolling terrain should fracture the peloton reasonably early on, making it fertile ground for the breakaway merchants.
The route, which begins in Cassano d’Adda 30 kilometres east of central Milan, is flat for the first 55 kilometres on the approach to Lake Is, so expect a flurry early of attacks until the ascent of Passo dei Tre Termin (8.2 kilometres with an average gradient of 5.9%) followed by Cocca di Lodrino (8.2 kilometres at 4.1). It’s then a steady and gradual climb into the Valle de Chiese for the next 50 kilometres, where the road gets narrower and more technical from Tione di Trento to San Lorenzo Dorsino. The final phase of the race features a fast descent from Andalo-Lever, which kicks up into a 2 kilometre climb at 6.2%, followed by a flat run-in to the line.
Giro d'Italia 2026 stage 17 profile
Giro d'Italia 2026 stage 17 (RCS)
Contenders
It’s been five stages since the last UAE Team Emirates XRG win – hardly a drought, but nonetheless too long by their books. Jhonatan Narváez stamped his authority on the race when he claimed stages 4, 8, and 11, and will be eyeing up stage 17 for another in a bid to gain points in the closely contested maglia ciclamino battle, in which he is currently only two points behind Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step). UAE’s fourth victory was claimed by Igor Arrieta on an absurd stage 5, so it could be that winless Jan Christen gives it a go in Andalo.
Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) has been unlucky not to have landed a stage victory yet – the Italian has been dogged out front on a number of occasions after briefly wearing pink on day five.
Movistar are in a similar situation, with their second week of the Giro a story of attacking intent and missed opportunities – particularly for Enric Mas who lost out to Narváez on stage 11 after dropping out of the GC battle. Alongside Mas, climber Einer Rubio will also be one to watch in the Dolomites for the Spanish team, after the Colombian was active in the five-man break who led much of stage 17. Also watch out for Lorenzo Milesi.
Chris Harper (Pinarello-Q36.5) should fancy his chances in the breakaway, as should a handful of XDS Astana riders, whose three stage wins have proved them to be one of the most competitive teams of this year’s Giro. Their men to watch on stage 17 are Guillermo Thomas Silva, who secured two podium finishes since his stage two victory and stage 13 victor Alberto Bettiol. Diego Ulissi is also looking strong.
Jasper Stuyven could be gunning for the intermediate sprint for Soudal Quick-Step to prevent Narváez leapfrogging his teammate, Magnier.
Uno-X Mobility pulled off a breakaway masterclass when Fredrik Dversnes outfoxed the favourites in Milan, although it’ll be Andreas Leknessund as their likely leader for this stage. Others to look out for are Wout Poels (Unibet Rose Rockets), Magnus Sheffield (Netcompany-Ineos), Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), Damiano Caruzo (Bahrain-Victorious), and Alessandro Pinarello (NSN Cycling Team).
Prediction
With the maglia ciclamino on the line, we think Jhonatan Narváez will go all out for another win.
