The distinctive character of a prestigious stage race like the Tour of the Alps – namely involving two countries, Italy and Austria, in the same event every year – finds even more complete meaning in the presence at the 2026 edition of the two national teams, a "unique" occurrence to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the cross-border collaboration project between Tyrol, South Tyrol and Trentino sanctioned by the signing of the Euregio inter-regional agreement protocol in 2016.

This is the most surprising news that emerged from today's press conference in Innsbruck, where the organization announced the list of registered teams in the presence of numerous authorities, including Vice Governor of Tyrol Philip Wohlgemuth, CEO of Tirol Werbung Karin Seiler, President of Innsbruck Tourismus Peter Paul Mölk, Mayor of Telfs Christian Härting and President of the Austrian Cycling Federation Harald Mayer.

THE TOTA RENEWS THE MAGICAL ATMOSPHERE OF THE 2018 WORLDS

The 2026 Tour of the Alps (scheduled for April 20-24) thus waves its flags more than ever, those of Italy and Austria which around this project have managed to build a common identity, recognizing themselves in the third flag, that of the Euregio, and exalting the landscapes, organizational expertise, quality of hospitality and lifestyles of the territories that are part of it.

For the fourth time the Tour of the Alps takes off from Tyrol as it did in 2017 and 2019 (both from Kufstein) and in 2023 (in the Alpbachtal). This time it's the turn of the "capital" Innsbruck, still mindful of the World Championship hosted in 2018: the finish of the first stage of the 2026 Tour of the Alps will be, not by chance, identical to that of the unforgettable world championship day of Alejandro Valverde.

The Austrian Land of Tyrol has built an increasingly solid bond with major international cycling over the last decade. From the showcase of the 2018 Road World Championships to the recognition of UCI Bike Region awarded by the governing body of world cycling, the Tyrolean territory has progressively established itself as a privileged crossroads for two wheels, both at the competitive level and on the amateur and tourist front.

It is an exciting three days that the Tour of the Alps offers to fans of Tyrol. Sunday, April 19 with preliminary operations and team presentations, Monday, April 20 the first stage with start and finish in Innsbruck, and finally Tuesday, April 21 with the start from Telfs, where Tyrol will bid farewell to the caravan before it sets off towards South Tyrol, and specifically the Val Martello. The subsequent stages will take the Tour first to the wonder of Lake Garda (at Arco) and then to Trento and Bolzano, the other two "capitals" where the race will experience the exciting concluding days.

STORER FOR THE REPEAT, BUT THE "SUPER-TEAMS" ARE WAITING FOR HIM

Although inserted into an increasingly complex international calendar, the Tour of the Alps confirms itself as a traditional appointment with high appeal. The 2026 edition starts with the certainty of the return of defending champion Michael Storer and seven World Tour teams (Bahrain Victorious, EF Education-EasyPost, INEOS Grenadiers, Lidl-Trek, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Team Jayco AlUla and Team Picnic PostNL) that will make his life very difficult.

Winner of the final classification in 2024 with Juan Pedro López and also a major protagonist twelve months ago with Giulio Ciccone – who with his victory at San Lorenzo Dorsino inaugurated a season that saw him second at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and then winner at the San Sebastián classic – Lidl-Trek will this time rely on new acquisition Derek Gee, a brilliant Canadian who finished third at the last Tour of the Alps and then fourth at the Giro d'Italia. According to the latest reports, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will be no less impressive, announcing itself with strong Italian influence, led by Giulio Pellizzari, author of two prestigious sixth-place finishes at the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, and by the very young Lorenzo Finn, the brightest talent in Italian cycling, U23 World Champion in Rwanda. Facing off against Finn, in a sort of remake of last season's U23 competition, will be Slovenian Jakob Omrzel of Bahrain Victorious, winner of the 2025 Giro d'Italia Next Gen. Both will try to follow in the footsteps of Paul Seixas, who exactly one year ago at the Tour of the Alps revealed his talent to the world.

Among the general classification contenders, Australian climber Ben O'Connor, captain of Team Jayco AlUla, also deserves attention, as he won his first significant professional victory at the Tour of the Alps in 2018, before finishing on the final podium with second place in 2024. Great names are also expected from INEOS Grenadiers, which traditionally fields its team at the #TotA with an eye on the Giro d'Italia, and from EF Education-EasyPost and Picnic PostNL, which have decided to focus precisely on the "Corsa Rosa".

Alongside the top-tier formations, Tudor Pro Cycling promises to put up a fight. The Swiss team can count on a structure comparable to that of World Tour teams and has all the credentials to support Storer in defending his title. Equally ambitious is another Swiss formation, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. From Hungary – but with Italian structure – comes the new MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort (former Team Colpack), while the three Italian teams at the start certainly boast a more consolidated track record: Bardiani CSF 7 Saber, Solution Tech NIPPO Rali and Team Polti VisitMalta. The Japanese Team Ukyo, a team founded by former Formula 1 driver Ukyo Katayama, and the Austrian Team Vorarlberg will also return to the Tour of the Alps.

More details about the major protagonists expected at the start will be known in the coming weeks. As always, moreover, the organization reserves some last-minute surprises.

INNSBRUCK AND TELFS PREPARE FOR THE GRAND START

The first stage of the 2026 Tour of the Alps, 144.3 km long, features a fast start in the Inn valley, followed by a 24 km circuit to be repeated twice, with a gentle climb towards the Mieminger plateau. Exiting the circuit, the route returns towards Innsbruck to tackle a second loop of 18 km, also to be covered twice, characterized by the climb of Götzens and the ramp of Axams, site of the sprint with time bonuses. The final 20 km lead to the Innsbruck finish, on the Rennweg, already the scene of the 2018 Worlds.

Tuesday, April 21, the #TotA caravan will depart from Telfs heading towards South Tyrol and stop, after 147.5 km, in Val Martello. On the road to the Italian border, riders will have to face the first-category climb of Piller Höhe (9.2 km at 6%) and the ramps of Passo Resia (15.8 km at 3.4%). Just before the summit, after passing through the town of Nauders, the Tour of the Alps will leave Tyrol to enter South Tyrol and continue its journey through the Euregio.

For Innsbruck it will be two very intense days concentrated in the same start and finish location where many collateral activities will entertain spectators. The same will happen in the historic center of Telfs, within the town hall square characterized by an enormous sail, also an ideal setting to make participants feel the passion and enthusiasm of all Tyrol.

SUMMARY OF THE FIVE STAGES

Monday, April 20, 2026
Stage 1: Innsbruck - Innsbruck, 144.3 km
1,700 m elevation gain. Difficulty: **

Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Stage 2: Telfs - Val Martello, 147.5 km
2,550 m elevation gain. Difficulty: ***

Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Stage 3: Laces - Arco, 174.5 km
3,620 m elevation gain. Difficulty: ***

Thursday, April 23, 2026
Stage 4: Arco - Trento, 167.8 km
3,900 m elevation gain. Difficulty: ****

Friday, April 24, 2026
Stage 5: Trento - Bolzano, 128.6 km
2,850 m elevation gain. Difficulty: ***