Giro d'Italia Women 2026, Stage 5: route, favourites and where to watch on TV

Giro d’Italia Women 2026, Stage 5: route, favourites and where to watch on TV

The 2026 Giro d’Italia Women gets its first real taste of the Dolomites on Stage 5. The route from Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore covers 146 kilometres and packs in 3,400 metres of climbing. After the first major shake-up in the Nevegal time trial, another is almost certain to follow here — perhaps an even bigger one. With a couple of less demanding stages to come afterwards, offering the GC contenders a chance to stay hidden, this is a day that could encourage aggressive racing. Expect fireworks.

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The Route

The Dolomite queen stage features the climbs of Passo Tre Croci (Category 1, 7.9 km at 7.2%) and Passo Sant’Antonio (Category 2, 8.3 km at 7.5%) in its opening half before entering a final circuit of approximately 23 kilometres. The circuit includes two ascents of Costa (Category 3, 4 km at 9.1%), a steep climb that is likely to play a decisive role in the outcome of the stage.

After the final ascent — which also features the intermediate sprint with bonus seconds in San Nicolò di Comelico — there will still be 17 kilometres remaining to the finish. By that point, however, it is reasonable to expect a heavily reduced and highly selective group at the front of the race.

The Favourites

Putting Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx–Protime) under pressure will be no easy task, not even for the best version of Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ). That said, the Dutchwoman will undoubtedly be eager to give it a try.

Behind them, Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) and Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) will look to stay in contention, alongside Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco), Femke de Vries (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Isabella Holmgren and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), as well as Urška Žigart (AG Insurance–Soudal).

Predict the stage winner with our ‘stage winner Predictor’. CLICK HERE, head to the FanZone and earn one entry into the draw for the final prizes of the Join the FanZone Challenge for every vote you cast. (Voting is open from 20:00 on the day before the stage until 10:00 on race day.)

Giro d'Italia 2026, Stage 5: Schedule and TV Coverave

Longarone – Santo Stefano di Cadore (149 km)
Live coverage starts: 12:10 PM
Stage start: 12:55 PM
Kilometre 0: 1:10 PM
Expected finish: approximately 5:15 PM

TV: The 2026 Giro d’Italia Women will enjoy even broader international television coverage, further cementing its status as one of the flagship events on the women’s cycling calendar. From 30 May to 7 June, the race will be broadcast live in Italy on Rai, Eurosport, Discovery+ and HBO Max. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, coverage will be provided by TNT Sports and HBO Max, while viewers across the rest of Europe will be able to watch the race on Eurosport, HBO Max and Discovery+. In Belgium, the race will be shown on VRT and RTBF.