Stage 9 Route: Giro d'Italia 2026
On day nine of the Giro d'Italia, the race returns to a climb that last served as a stage finish in 2004: the Corno alle Scale. Back then, Gilberto Simoni triumphed on the 12.8-kilometre ascent with an average gradient of 6%, defeating Damiano Cunego and Franco Pellizotti. The route for this year's stage starts in Cervia, where riders will first tackle 150 predominantly flat kilometres before facing the challenging climbs ahead.
The opening stages often last a long time, meaning that the key moments of the stage could occur within just over three hours of racing. The two-stage rocket of Querciola and Corno alle Scale is connected by a short descent, with the total elevation gain reaching 1,200 metres from the starting point at just 200 metres above sea level.
Key Climbs: Querciola and Corno alle Scale
The Querciola is 11.3 kilometres long with an average gradient of 4.3%, serving as an ideal warm-up for the final climb. The Corno alle Scale itself rises for 10.8 kilometres at an average of 6.1%. However, the true challenge lies in the final section, where the gradients increase significantly.
The first six kilometres of the Corno alle Scale have an average of 4%, followed by a two-kilometre stretch at 7.2%. The steepest ramps come in the final 2.7 kilometres, averaging 10.1% with a maximum gradient of 15%.
Weather Conditions for Stage 9
The weather on Sunday is expected to be relatively favourable. Riders will start in Cervia, where they can enjoy pleasant sunshine and temperatures around 20°C. A gentle tailwind towards Bologna is expected, though wind conditions will be minimal overall.
As the race heads uphill in the finale, temperatures will drop. At the summit of Corno alle Scale, it will be around 12°C. There is a 25% chance of a brief shower in the afternoon, but conditions around the finish are expected to remain largely dry with some sunshine.
Favourites for Stage 9
As the Giro d'Italia progresses, interest in the early breakaway grows. The stage profile suggests that a GC rider may win the stage outright. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) is the top favourite, but it remains to be seen if he and his team will commit fully.
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s Giulio Pellizzari and Jai Hindley are also strong contenders, aiming for both a stage win and time on their rivals. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) is another name to watch, though how much support he receives from Vingegaard is uncertain.
Other potential contenders include Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla), Mathys Rondel and Michael Storer (Tudor), and the Lidl-Trek duo of Giulio Ciccone and Derek Gee-West. Thymen Arensman (Netcompany INEOS) and Egan Bernal (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) are also in the mix, with the latter showing strong form despite losing time on Blockhaus.
Breakaway Contenders
Riders like Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana), Markel Beloki, and Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education-EasyPost) are likely to be part of a successful breakaway. Filippo Zana (Soudal Quick-Step) and Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarché) could also play key roles.
Wout Poels (Unibet Rose Rockets) is another rider to watch, though he may need assistance to reach the front. Other teams such as NSN (Alessandro Pinarello), Pinarello-Q36.5 (David de la Cruz), and Uno-X Mobility (Johannes Kulset) also have options without a designated GC leader.
IDL Pro Cycling's Stage 9 Top Picks
Top Favorites:
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana)
Outsiders:
Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla) and Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarché)
Long Shots:
Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Mathys Rondel and Michael Storer (Tudor), Giulio Ciccone and Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek), Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman (Netcompany INEOS), Jan Christen and Igor Arrieta (UAE Emirates-XRG), Markel Beloki and Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education-EasyPost), Filippo Zana (Soudal Quick-Step) and Wout Poels (Unibet Rose Rockets)
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