The 16th edition of the Giro Handbike was presented in Milan in the press room of the Palazzo di Regione Lombardia. The 2026 edition will be entirely international with 5 stages of absolute prestige, all included in UCI Category C.1.

The stage cities of the Giro Handbike 2026 edition were presented with their territorial and cultural characteristics, where race circuits have been prepared with the right technical requirements for thrilling competitions. Two races will take place in Lombardy, one in Veneto and one in Friuli Venezia Giulia; anticipation for the grand finale in Piedmont.

Here is the calendar of stages for the 16th edition of the Giro Handbike: March 29 NOVENTA DI PIAVE; June 21 CESANO MADERNO; July 12 MONFALCONE; September 6 CARUGATE; October 4 BIELLA.

"I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the stage cities that have chosen to be part of this most important edition of the Giro Handbike, which for the first time will be entirely international - says Fabio Pennella, President of SEO a.s.d. Organizing Committee of the Giro Handbike - A choice of courage, vision and responsibility that confirms how much the territories believe in the value of paralympic sport as a tool for promotion, inclusion and cultural growth. This edition represents a further leap in quality for our circuit: opening ourselves completely to the international dimension means offering athletes competitions of the highest technical level, enhancing the host cities in a European context and strengthening the positioning of the Giro Handbike as the leading event of its kind in Europe. Special thanks go to our sponsors, fundamental pillars of the Event, who year after year continue to believe in our value, our professionalism and the organizational solidity that distinguishes us. Without their support, this growth path would not be possible. Finally, I wish to thank Undersecretary for Sport Federica Picchi, who once again wanted to host the press conference in this prestigious institutional venue, demonstrating attention and sensitivity towards our movement and the values we represent."

"The Giro d'Italia handbike, one of the most relevant paralympic events in Europe, this year will make stops twice in Lombardy, bringing with it not only a great sporting competition, but also a powerful message of inclusion and inspiration – declares Federica Picchi, Undersecretary for Sport and Youth of Regione Lombardia -. Seeing the Giro Handbike athletes racing through the streets of our cities is a source of pride for all of us: they represent challenges that once seemed impossible and that today, thanks to their determination and technology, have been overcome. I am deeply convinced that sport is an extraordinary tool for enhancing people with different abilities. For this reason, we have modified the criteria of calls for contributions dedicated to sporting events, competitive and amateur, increasing from 10% to 15% the reserve allocated to events that include athletes with disabilities. We have adopted the same logic for tools such as the Dote Sport and the Facilities Call, which reserve a budget for families with disabilities and provide incentives for the removal of architectural barriers."

"The Giro Handbike, the athletes who participate in it, represent a sincere example of determination and resilience, demonstrating how sport can be a vehicle for education and culture – declares Cordiano Dagnoni, President of the Italian Cycling Federation -. For this reason, with particular satisfaction, I welcome the new edition of the Giro which this year, with the White Jersey for the best young rider, takes on an even deeper meaning, becoming a symbol of the "Safe on Bikes" campaign, promoted by the Italian Cycling Federation together with SEO, the race organizer. Through this initiative, the jersey is no longer just a sporting recognition, but becomes a concrete tool for raising awareness about road safety, to protect cyclists and the most vulnerable road users. A message that will accompany the athletes along the roads, recalling the importance of respect, responsibility and civil coexistence in public space, because protecting the most fragile means making the road safer for everyone. I thank the organizing company, President Fabio Pennella and his entire team, the local authorities and partners who have supported this important initiative for years, pride and glory of the federal paralympic movement."

The President of the Province of Monza and Brianza Luca Santambrogio and provincial councilor Marina Romanò did not want to miss the press conference; for sport, the President of the Lombardy Regional Committee FCI Stefano Pedrinazzi and the Vice President FCI Lombardy with responsibility for paraciclismo Cinzia Ghisellini; Sergio di Nicola member of the CIP Lombardy Board, Claudio Pedrazzini Regional Committee CONI and Roberto Rancilio President National Commission Paraciclismo FCI.

The undisputed protagonists of the 16th edition of the Giro Handbike are also the female and male athletes, many of them foreign, who will compete in the five stages to conquer the coveted STELLANTIS AUTONOMY pink jersey, the red jersey for the fast team G3 Officine meccaniche, the white jersey SEO for the best youngest athlete in the race and the black jersey PMP.

The jerseys of the 2026 edition of the Giro Handbike were designed by stylist Damiano Rizzo who this year chose to design them inspired by the story of the water carrier with two buckets, one of which is leaking. Just as from the weakness of the leaking bucket that loses water, the carrier throws seeds along the roadside and creates beautiful flowers, so one can grasp the value of diversity from which something new, unprecedented and of rare beauty can be born.

Everything is ready for the great start of the 16th edition of the Giro Handbike, the leading event of its kind in Europe, which from March 29 to October 6, 2026 in five stages from Veneto to Lombardy, from Friuli Venezia Giulia to Piedmont will provide great emotions in the name of sport at an international level.