Tour of the Alps 2026 preview - The final test before the Giro

The Tour of the Alps is widely seen as one of the most reliable indicators of form in the spring. The race runs through three connected Alpine regions: Tirol in Austria, and Südtirol Alto Adige and Trentino in Italy. For years it has served as a key build up race for the Giro d’Italia. It may not be part of the WorldTour, but its sporting value is high. Riders who perform well here often carry that form into May.

The race dates back to 1962, when the first Giro del Trentino was won by Enzo Moser. After a break, it returned in 1980 and quickly became an important event for Italy’s top climbers. Riders such as Paolo Savoldelli, Gilberto Simoni, Damiano Cunego, Vincenzo Nibali, Ivan Basso, Michele Scarponi and Domenico Pozzovivo all won the race on routes that now cross national borders. 

In 2017, the event was rebranded as the Tour of the Alps and expanded across the Euregio, bringing in Tirol and Südtirol Alto Adige. The 2026 edition marks ten years of this cross border format.

Last year’s race delivered a dramatic final stage. Michael Storer attacked on the road to Lienz and took the overall win from Thymen Arensman by just a few seconds. Derek Gee finished third. 

All three return this year, joined by a field that already looks like a Giro preview. Among them are 21-year-old Italian talent Giulio Pellizzari, Ben O'Connor, and Egan Bernal. Domenico Pozzovivo also returns to racing at the age of 43 after stepping away from the sport in 2024.

The 2026 Tour of the Alps offers a compact but demanding five stage route, starting in Innsbruck and finishing in Bozen/Bolzano. Across just over 750 kilometres, the race packs in significant elevation and a mix of terrains that should keep the general classification open until the final day.

The opening stage is relatively controlled compared to what follows, but the repeated climbs around Innsbruck provide an early chance for aggressive racing. While it may suit a reduced bunch sprint, it also offers an opportunity for opportunists to test the peloton from the outset.

Stage 2 introduces the first real selection with the only summit finish of the race. The climb to Martell is not the longest of the week, but its steep gradients make it a natural point for the GC contenders to show their cards. Time gaps may already start to form here.

The following day brings the longest stage, combining a high altitude ascent with a more open finale. This mix creates uncertainty, with breakaways likely to play a role while GC riders must remain alert for splits or bonus seconds in the closing kilometres.

Stage 4 stands out as the decisive day on paper. With over 3,600 metres of climbing and two major passes early, the race could be shaped long before the finish. However, the punchy and technical finale into Trento adds another layer of complexity, rewarding riders who can still accelerate after a hard day in the mountains.

The final stage ensures the race remains alive until the end. The repeated climb in the closing circuits provides a last opportunity to gain time, while bonus seconds could prove decisive in a tight classification. With a fast descent into Bozen, the overall victory may only be settled in the final kilometres of the race.

Tour of the Alps brings together a deep and intriguing field, with several storylines converging over five demanding days in the mountains. Defending champion Michael Storer returns with race number one and, for the second year running, appears to have timed his form perfectly. His measured, late race attacking style is well suited to a route that offers just one summit finish but several technical run ins after climbs. 

Behind him, Mathys Rondel adds a credible second option after an impressive eighth place at Paris-Nice.

For INEOS, Thymen Arensman arrives with unfinished business after losing the overall lead on the final stage last year. The long and demanding queen stage should play to his strengths, and he has both the climbing depth and engine to control a race like this. 

Alongside him, the return of Egan Bernal, winner of the Tour de France in 2019, adds an extra layer of intrigue. After an interrupted start to the season, his level is uncertain, but if he finds rhythm, INEOS suddenly has more than one card to play.

Few teams are as compelling on paper. Giulio Pellizzari lines up as Italy’s great hope, arriving off the back of a podium at Tirreno-Adriatico and carrying growing expectations despite his young age. The punchy finishes later in the week should suit him, and he is targeting both the general classification and the points competition. With Aleksandr Vlasov offering proven depth and Lorenzo Finn continuing his rapid rise, there is no shortage of options.

Derek Gee returns after a breakthrough period that included third place here and fourth at the Giro d’Italia. The Canadian has built a reputation for consistency in stage racing, though his 2026 campaign has so far lacked the same spark, leaving some question marks over his current level.

Ben O’Connor is another rider who knows how to perform on this terrain, having finished second here in 2024. The absence of a time trial and the emphasis on sustained climbing work in his favour, making him a solid podium contender. Alongside him, Paul Double continues to emerge as a rider capable of influencing a race like this, even if still developing at this level.

Attention will also be on Tom Pidcock, who returns earlier than expected following his crash at Volta a Catalunya. The focus is clearly on building towards Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but even without full race sharpness, his ability on explosive finishes makes him a potential stage winner.

At EF, Jefferson Cepeda steps into the leadership role in the absence of Ben Healy. He has shown flashes of high level climbing but has yet to deliver over a full week, leaving this as an opportunity to step forward. Sean Quinn offers a threat from breakaways, while Darren Rafferty continues his progression as one of the more promising young climbers in the peloton.

Bahrain, meanwhile, leans into youth with Jakob Omrzel, winner of the Giro Next Gen, leading a team built around emerging talent.