Tour of the Alps 2026 | Arensman faces his Giro rivals — with dangerous weather looming
CyclingFriday, 17 April 2026 at 13:58
There are plenty of stage races with a higher sporting profile, but anyone who has spent a week at the Tour of the Alps knows that few week-long races can match its stunning scenery across Austria and northern Italy. The climbing race through Tyrol, South Tyrol and Trentino has established itself as the test event before the Giro d'Italia, which starts on 8 May. Here is everything you need to know.
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Latest winners Tour of the Alps
2025 Michael Storer
2024 Juan Pédro López
2023 Tao Geoghegan Hart
2022 Romain Bardet
2024 Juan Pédro López
2023 Tao Geoghegan Hart
2022 Romain Bardet
2021 Simon Yates
2020 Cancelled
2019 Pavel Sivakov
2018 Thibaut Pinot
2017 Geraint Thomas
2016 Mikel Landa
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Route, stage favorites and times
Stage 1, Monday, April 20: Innsbruck - Innsbruck (144.3 km)
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The opening day around Innsbruck is a circuit. After 25 kilometres, the riders tackle two laps featuring the Mieminger Plateau climb — 6.2 kilometres at an average of 3.7%. Not overly demanding.
The finale is a different matter. The climb to Götzens features twice: 4 kilometres at 7% average. From the summit, however, it is still 22 kilometres to a flat finish that should give sprinters with climbing legs a chance. Or will a breakaway rider hold on?
Favorites
Davide Donati (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious)
Florian Stork (Tudor)
Davide Donati (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious)
Florian Stork (Tudor)
Times
Start: 11:55 a.m. CET
Finish: around 3:15 p.m. CET
Start: 11:55 a.m. CET
Finish: around 3:15 p.m. CET
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Stage 2, Tuesday, April 21: Telfs - Val Martello (147.5 km)
The GC riders must show their hand on day two. Not only is there a lot of climbing, but wintry conditions are forecast for a stage that starts at 600 metres altitude and climbs to nearly 1,600.
The Piller Höhe is the first test: 9.2 kilometres at 6% average, getting significantly steeper towards the top. Temperatures of 2°C are predicted halfway up. The big question is whether they will even be able to race over it.
The same goes for the Passo Resia — a long, gradual climb above 1,500 metres — and the finish at Val Martello. Temperatures there will hover around freezing, but the 6-kilometre climb at an average of 8% should warm the legs. The question is: who can keep their keeps cool?
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Favorites
Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla)
Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers)
Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla)
Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers)
Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Times
Start: 11:35 a.m.
Finish: around 3:15 p.m.
Start: 11:35 a.m.
Finish: around 3:15 p.m.
Stage 3, Wednesday, April 22: Latsch - Arco (174.5 km)
After Tuesday's deep freeze, the riders head back towards warmer conditions. It will still be fresh at the start in Latsch, which means the Passo Castrin — 22.2 kilometres at 5.7% average, with sections of 8-10% at the start and finish — could also be a talking point if conditions deteriorate.
After what promises to be a freezing descent, the route stays at lower altitudes for the rest of the day. Arco awaits with sunshine at the finish, but the battle will be fierce with three climbs packed into the final 80 kilometres.
Note: Early finish due to Flèche Wallonne on the same day.
Favorites
Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Michael Storer (Tudor)
Paul Double (Jayco-AlUla)
Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Michael Storer (Tudor)
Paul Double (Jayco-AlUla)
Times
Start: 10 a.m.
Finish: 2:20 p.m.
Start: 10 a.m.
Finish: 2:20 p.m.
Stage 4, Thursday, April 23: Arco - Trento (167.8 km)
This is the hardest stage of the week. Climbing from start to finish, with over 4,000 metres of elevation gain. This is where the GC could be decided.
From Arco, the route heads to the summit of the Passo Bordala — 14.8 kilometres at 6.9% average. After a drop and an uncategorised climb towards an intermediate sprint, the Redebus follows: 12.9 kilometres at 6.8%, barely less demanding than its predecessor. After a second intermediate sprint at altitude in Baselga di Piné, the riders descend to the finish with several steep ramps along the way.
Favorites
Mathys Rondel (Tudor)
Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Koen Bouwman (Jayco AlUla)
Mathys Rondel (Tudor)
Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Koen Bouwman (Jayco AlUla)
Times
Start: 10:45 a.m.
Finish: around 3:15 p.m.
Start: 10:45 a.m.
Finish: around 3:15 p.m.
Stage 5, Friday, April 24: Trento - Bolzano (128.6 km)
The final stage brings sunshine and warmer temperatures from Trento to Bolzano. The riders still face a stern test, particularly in the second half. The first section features two short climbs at just over 6%.
The highlight comes in the finale: the Montoppio, 12.7 kilometres at 7% average. That could spark all-out war, especially as the road kicks up again after a brief dip halfway through the climb. After the summit, a long descent leads to the true finish of this year's race.
Favorites
Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla)
Derek Gee (Lidl-Trek)
Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla)
Derek Gee (Lidl-Trek)
Times
Start: 12:00 p.m.
Finish: around 3:15 p.m.
Start: 12:00 p.m.
Finish: around 3:15 p.m.
Who are the GC favorites Tour of the Alps 2026
The Tour of the Alps has increasingly become the key warm-up for the Giro d'Italia. Strong form here usually carries over into May. So who is riding well — and who might need to go back to the drawing board?
Michael Storer is the defending champion from Tudor. The Australian often hits his stride at this point of the season. If his legs are not quite there, Tudor have a strong plan B in Mathys Rondel, the young Frenchman who finished eighth at Paris-Nice.
Continue reading below the photo
Storer faces plenty of tough competition, including last year's second and third-placed finishers. Thymen Arensman won a stage in 2025 and will hope to go one better for INEOS Grenadiers. Derek Gee also returns, now riding for Lidl-Trek rather than Israel-Premier Tech. Max Poole, seventh in 2025, is back for Picnic PostNL after a long absence.
New arrivals include Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) and Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla), both with significant ambitions here and at the Giro. The same applies to Egan Bernal, Arensman's INEOS teammate — but how fit is the Colombian after his injury troubles?
Continue reading below the photo
Further down the start list, there are several dangerous outsiders. Jayco-AlUla have Paul Double as a second GC option. Red Bull can play Aleksandr Vlasov as a plan B card, and EF Education-EasyPost will hope Jefferson Cepeda has found his climbing legs.
Bahrain Victorious talent Jakob Omrzel is one to watch, while Red Bull also bring former wonderkid Lorenzo Finn. Finally, spare a thought for Domenico Pozzovivo — the 43-year-old Italian is making his return as a professional with Solution Tech NIPPO Rali, having retired in 2024.
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
IDL Pro Cycling top GC picks: Tour of the Alps 2026
Top favorites: Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) and Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Outsiders: Michael Storer (Tudor), Derek Gee (Lidl-Trek), Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla), Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers)
Long shots: Mathys Rondel (Tudor), Max Poole (Picnic PostNL), Paul Double (Jayco-AlUla), Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education-EasyPost) and Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious)
Outsiders: Michael Storer (Tudor), Derek Gee (Lidl-Trek), Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla), Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers)
Long shots: Mathys Rondel (Tudor), Max Poole (Picnic PostNL), Paul Double (Jayco-AlUla), Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education-EasyPost) and Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious)
How to watch the Tour of the Alps on TV
Below you can find where to watch the 2026 Tour of the Alps on TV in English
- United Kingdom: HBO Max now carries all of the UK cycling coverage.
- USA & Canada: You will need a subscription to Peacock to watch the racing in the north America
- Australia & NZ: Sadly there is no coverage of the Tour of the Alps on TV in Australia and New Zealand. Get those VPNs fired up!
IDL-productions
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Latest Comments
- Here is a novel idea......it's a road bike race, stick to smooth asphalt courses! Cobble is like mild off-road cross riding!!!!Germanrazor14-04-2026
- Rider X, y and z? Could you update?yaNzKEWL21-03-2026
- Can anyone help me understand the thinking behind the two punishments? Are the commissaires saying you get thrown out of the race for a second inadvertent disposal of a bidon (even to the delight of fans) but that as long as you can afford it you can show off your phalangeal cuticles all day long on international TV? Aking for a friend.packfiller7112-03-2026
- It's a bit embarrassing that. Isn't the main sponsor supposed to keep them at 36.5 ?tomjacques03-03-2026
- They were close to cracking a very tired Tadej that wasn't fully focused on the TdF with a team of riders focused solely on cracking Tadej. And if they cracked him, he would have still won. Tadej won't be racing the giro this year. It'll be an even easier win for him.Veganpotter09-02-2026
- Nice!Bea22-01-2026
- Those events are mental rest for him. Fun, without expectations. *Sagan lost his abilities because he gained weight and got lazy. Pogi will likely retire before that has a chance at happening.Veganpotter14-12-2025
- Ah, the consequences of riding for Israel.Veganpotter11-12-2025
- Pidcock could follow everyone but Pogi while finishing 3rd. No second place rider this season😃Veganpotter16-11-2025
- Now the Palestinian protestors can stop their whining. Trump came to the rescue. So they can now STFU and go back to waving the rainbow flags.raufus15-10-2025
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