Key Takeaways
- Jonas Vingegaard is set to be crowned the winner of the 2026 Giro d’Italia during the final stage in Rome.
- Riders will transfer 600km from Piancavallo to Rome, culminating in a largely ceremonial stage around the city.
- The environmental impact of professional cycling and long transfers is under scrutiny amid climate concerns.
Final Transfer to Rome
After three weeks and 3338km of racing, the Giro d’Italia culminates with a final 600km transfer from Piancavallo to Rome for Sunday’s concluding stage. Jonas Vingegaard and his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates celebrated at the Piancavallo finish line, anticipating the 131km flat stage around Rome, likely to conclude in a sprint.
Vingegaard is poised to be honored as the ‘Re Pescatore’ and Giro winner on Sunday evening, with the Fori Imperiali and the Colosseum as backdrops. The race organizers, RCS Sport, have coordinated the riders’ transfer from Piancavallo, similar to previous logistics involving travel from Bulgaria to Calabria for the race’s start.
Following the mountain finish, riders enjoyed a brief respite at a nearby hotel before boarding coaches heading to Venice airport, located 100km south of Piancavallo. Teams prepared recovery meals for this journey, and three flights to Rome were scheduled to depart every 15 minutes, each taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Team buses were arranged to transport riders from Venice to the race’s start in Gemona del Friuli. Other team staff and media must manage independent travel to Rome based on their specific schedules. Some have opted for a night in hotels near Bologna or Florence before completing the 600km drive.
The choice of Rome as the finishing city was made in 2023 after RCS Sport’s disagreement with Milan, leading to a partnership with the Rome city council to promote events in the capital. The final stage’s mountain course typically necessitates a long southern transfer, bringing to light the environmental concerns surrounding professional cycling.
While cycling is generally considered eco-friendly, the logistics involved in professional races contribute to significant pollution. Each team employs a bus and various vehicles, coupled with a substantial support staff and media presence traveling by car.
The environmental impact of professional cycling has sparked concerns, echoing the disruption caused by climate activists at the Tour de France in recent years. In 2023, then-race director Mauri Vegni defended the logistics, arguing that a single charter flight from northern Italy to Rome is negligible compared to the daily scheduled air traffic. He emphasized the need for a broader conversation about the sport’s environmental footprint.
As the final stage approaches, both riders and organizers are navigating the implications of their celebrations and operations on the environment within the vibrant setting of Rome.
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