Everything is ready for the start of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali 2026, which will kick off tomorrow with the Barbaresco – Barolo stage and conclude on March 29th.

The stage race organized by GS Emilia, valid as a test of the Italian Regional Cup coordinated by the Professional Cycling League, is preparing to open five days of great cycling on the roads of Northern Italy.

The opening stage will be a first leg with strong symbolic and scenic value, in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Langhe region. A route immersed among vineyards and iconic hills, capable of offering immediately a selective and spectacular terrain, ideal for igniting the race from the very first kilometers.

Among the 137 protagonists expected at the start, Ineos Grenadiers stands out, which will field young American Andrew August as its leader, already successful this season.

Great attention also for Team Jayco AlUla, which presents itself with Italian champion Filippo Conca and Alessandro Covi, winner of the 2022 Giro d'Italia stage with finish at Passo Fedaia, alongside current world mountain bike champion Alan Hatherly and Swiss champion Mauro Schmid, career winner of a Giro d'Italia stage and the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali 2023.

The XDS Astana Team brings quality and experience with Diego Ulissi, eight Giro d'Italia stage wins and a pink jersey in his career.

Also noteworthy is the presence of Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, which can count on the speed of Matteo Moschetti, while Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe relies on emerging talent Lorenzo Mark Finn, Under 23 world champion, already prominent among young riders at international level, and sprinter Danny van Poppel, a rider with a cycling pedigree and Dutch national champion.

From MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort come Alessandro Fancellu and Alessandro Verre, an up-and-coming Italian who, after finishing third in the overall classification at the recent Giro di Sardegna, is called upon to compete in a high-profile international context.

THE FIRST STAGE

The opening stage will require great attention from the very start, not only because it is one of the most demanding in terms of overall elevation gain, but also because of its extremely nervous nature. The flat sections will indeed be limited, with a continuous alternation of short but treacherous climbs and descents.

After the start from Barbaresco (11:40 AM), the first categorized climb, placed after just 22.2 kilometers, could already favor the formation of a quality breakaway. In the central phase the route will tend to ease slightly, but as it returns toward the Alba area, the altitude difficulties will return, with a succession of steep pitches and changes of pace.

The final categorized climb will be located less than 10 kilometers from the finish and could prove decisive for the final selection. The subsequent descent will conclude at Barolo just over 2 kilometers from the finish, then tackle the final kilometer in a slight climb, destined to become more demanding precisely in the last 200 meters, ideal for showcasing the qualities of the most explosive riders.

THE STAGES ON TV (Rai Sport)

March 25, 2026 – Barbaresco – Barolo, 6:00 PM

March 26, 2026 – Lodi – Massalengo, 6:00 PM

March 27, 2026 – Erbusco – Iseo, 5:30 PM

March 28, 2026 – Ponte di Piave – Valdobbiadene, 4:25 PM

March 29, 2026 – Cormons – Gemona del Friuli, 5:30 PM and 11:30 PM

Every day streaming on the Professional Cycling League Youtube channel from 4:00 PM

Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali Guide – click here

in the attached pdf you will find the list of starters