Giro d'Italia 2026 stage 12 preview: Can the sprinters survive the climbs?

Date: Thursday, May 21
Distance: 175km
Start location: Imperia
Finish location: Novi Ligure
Start time: 12:05 BST / 13:05 CEST / 07:05 EDT
Finish time (approx.): 16:14 BST / 17:14 CEST / 11:14 EDT

The fastmen will be grateful for another potential chance to shine on a flat finish on stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia, after their hopes were dashed in the crash-marred sprint of stage six. However, with a couple of lumps to get over before the final dash to the line, Thursday’s stage is possibly one for the more versatile sprinters and puncheurs of the peloton. Dubbed a ‘reverse San Remo’ by the organisers, the 175 kilometre route begins in the Ligurian coastal city of Imperia, heading inland before following the Via Aurelia in the opposite direction of the March Monument. There’s plenty of time for the break to get ahead before the category three Colle Giovio provides the first test 107 kilometres into the day, followed in quick succession by the steep Bric Berton climb. The race then descends into the Po Valley for the final 52 kilometres, where flat roads could give some time for the sprint teams to catch the break and get their riders into position for a straight run into Novi Ligure. If they’re unable to do so, then a reduced sprint finale looks more likely.

Giro d'Italia 2026 stage 12 profile 

Contenders

Jhonatan Narváez is showing phenomenal form with three stage wins under his belt at this point in the race, after he prevailed in a two-up sprint against Enric Mas (Movistar) on Wednesday. The Ecuadorian thrives on punchy climbs and fast finishes, and has already exhibited his prowess from a reduced bunch in the finale of his stage four victory. Narváez is backed by the aggregate strength of his team, namely Jan Christen and stage five winner Igor Arrieta. 

If we’re looking at versatile sprinters who can kick after an uphill effort, Ben Turner (Netcompany-INEOS) will be one to watch over this terrain, especially after he sacrificed his chances on stage four to support his struggling team leader Egan Bernal with his general classification ambitions. Meanwhile, NSN field puncheur Corbin Strong and fastman Ethan Vernon, while Movistar can count on Orluis Aular or Lorenzo Milesi in their ongoing fight for a stage win. 

Double stage-winner Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quickstep) is still well clear in the maglia ciclamino battle despite falling victim to the chaotic cobbled crash of stage six, and, provided he can a) stay in contention over the climbs and b) make it to the final few hundred metres in good order, the young Frenchman is the man to beat in a bunch sprint – proof, some might say, that Soudal Quick-Step are cycling’s best sprint team once again. Depending on how the race plays out, all-rounder Jasper Stuyven could be another option for the Wolfpack. 

Jonathan Milan’s dreams of a stage win are yet to materialise in what has been a Giro of near misses so far for Lidl Trek. The pile up of stage six left the Italian bemoaning a u-shaped bend inside the final kilometre, so the three-kilometre lead up into the line should be a more honest test of speed –  if the Italian is able to make it that far without being dropped on the Colle Giovio. Milan has shown attacking intent on hillier stages, and will be looking to control the day where he can. 

Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) is another fastman favourite yearning for a stage win for his team at their first Giro – however the two category three climbs might be too lumpy a test for the purist.

XDS Astana's Guillo Thomas Silva won stage two and continues to look strong, while Decathlon CMA CGM have their hopes in Tobias Lund Andresen, who finished in second on stage one. 

Others to look out for are Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana), Pascal Ackermann (Team Jayco AlUla), and Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility).

Prediction

The profile of this stage leaves things pretty open, however we think that Paul Magnier could pocket a Giro stage hattrick if it comes to a bunch sprint.