Piedmont and the provinces of Cuneo and Asti are preparing to become the heart of Italian cycling with the organization of the 2026 Elite Italian Championships in time trial and road race. Two appointments, organized by the Professional Cycling League, which are fundamental to the season and will award the prestigious tricolor jerseys in time trial on June 25, and in road race on June 27. The races will take place among the hills of the Langhe and the Cuneo territory, once again confirming the great cycling tradition of this land.

Francesco Moser, who today celebrates his 75th birthday, and Fabio Aru, the last winner of the championships in Piedmont, participated via video link. Claudio Chiappucci was present in person.

TIME TRIAL: The first appointment is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 with the Italian Elite Time Trial Championship: riders will start from Vicoforte to reach Barolo at the end of a 40-kilometer route characterized by approximately 500 meters of elevation gain.

Among the favorites stands out the name of Filippo Ganna, a super specialist in time trial races, 2-time world champion and holder of the hour record, as well as winner of the Massa stage of the Giro d'Italia. Among the probable rivals is also another Piedmontese, Matteo Sobrero, who lives in the Langhe, Mattia Cattaneo, Edoardo Affini and Lorenzo Milesi.

ROAD RACE: Saturday, June 27 will instead be the turn of the road race reserved for Elite men, starting from Asti and finishing in Cuneo after 232 kilometers and approximately 2,500 meters of elevation gain, awarding the 125th title of an event that saw its first edition in 1885 with the victory of Giuseppe Loretz. The all-time multiple winner is Costante Girardengo with 9 tricolor jerseys. A challenging and spectacular route that will cross some of the most iconic places in the Piedmont territory and will feature the Mountain Prizes of Monforte d'Alba and Murazzano, destined to represent key moments in the race towards the Italian title.

In this case it will be a challenge to Filippo Conca, winner last year in Gorizia, who will have to face off on a rolling but not impossible route with riders of the caliber of Jonathan Milan, Alessandro Covi, Simone Velasco, Filippo Baroncini.

An event that will unite sport, territorial promotion and great spectacle, bringing the best professionals of national cycling to the roads of Piedmont, which will be presented in the Piedmont Region on June 19, 2026.

STATEMENTS:

These are the statements from the President of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio and the Assessor for Sport and Tourism, Paolo Bongioanni: «Piedmont is consolidating itself as one of the reference scenarios of great international cycling. After hosting the Grand Start of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, the arrival in Piedmont of the Grand Start of the 2024 Tour de France, for the first time in Italy, and the historic debut of the Vuelta a España in 2025 with its Official Start, our region has confirmed an extraordinary attractive and organizational capacity, becoming the only Italian region to have hosted all three starts of the Grand Tours. In this path of excellence, the organization of the 2026 Elite Italian Championships, scheduled for June 25 and 27, represents a further strategic milestone for the enhancement of the territory. The roads of the Cuneo and Asti areas become the ideal stage for awarding the coveted tricolor jerseys. The time trial from Vicoforte to Barolo and the road race from Asti to Cuneo enhance the variety and beauty of the Piedmont landscape, offering the champions competing and enthusiasts a unique scenario among UNESCO heritage hills, historic villages and cities rich in tradition. These routes highlight the link between sport and territory, transforming every kilometer of racing into an international showcase for local excellence».

Roberto Pella, President of the Professional Cycling League: «It is with great pride that we welcome the 2026 Elite Italian Championships in Piedmont, an appointment that takes on special significance in a year in which we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Republic and the awarding of the 125th tricolor jersey. These Championships are not just a sporting competition, within the Italian Regions Cup, but an event that unites the country and calls on the roads citizens ready to support the riders who dream of succeeding the outgoing champion Filippo Conca. It will be an exciting and uncertain challenge until the very end, on the roads of Piedmont rich in history and cycling tradition: in the time trial the name of Filippo Ganna is undoubtedly the favorite, while the road race remains wide open and ready to deliver surprises. It will be a great opportunity to promote the territories crossed, thanks to careful and curated narration also of TV images distributed internationally. To the Piedmont Region of President Alberto Cirio, to Assessor Paolo Bongioanni, the local communities with the many mayors involved, Italian Cycling Federation, the volunteers and especially to the athletes goes my thanks and wishes for spectacle and fair play.»

Francesco Moser: «I believe that Milan and Ganna can be the favorites in their respective races (Ganna in time trial and Milan on the road). I will be in Barolo, land of wines, for the time trial and I expect a great spectacle in a race, the road race, in which I was often a protagonist».

Fabio Aru: «I won the tricolor jersey in Ivrea 9 years ago. For me it was a unique emotion because for a year I represented my country around the world with the tricolor jersey. We race in a region that is special to me because for 10 years I came to train in Sestriere».

In the room Claudio Chiappucci: «For an Italian the championship is one of the most beautiful moments. Once this jersey saw a challenge equal to a World Championship. The heat and the distance will make the selection in a very open race for fast riders. Last year there was a surprise, so you have to pay attention. I want to emphasize the great work carried out by the Institutions and by the Cycling League of President Pella».

Massimo Rosso, President of the Piedmont FCI, intervened: «Thanks to President Cirio, Assessor Bongioanni and the President of the Cycling League Pella for this championship in Piedmont. Cycling in this land finds its natural place».

All technical details: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aGL1j2NqVGax0bbUjdaX0G-CjGByXtvd?usp=share_link

In the photo, from left: Roberto Pella, Alberto Cirio and Paolo Bongioanni. Photo Umberto ZOLLO.