Giro 2026: preview of stage 17 to Andalo, will breakaway riders cause chaos?

The seventeenth stage does not feature any grueling climbs, but we still expect excitement on the way to Andalo. With over three thousand meters of elevation gain, multiple obstacles, and a very challenging finale, all the ingredients are there for a spectacular race. WielerFlits looks ahead!

Route

The seventeenth stage on Wednesday, May 27, is a long and grueling 200-kilometer ride from Cassano d’Adda to Andalo. The route includes around 3,200 meters of elevation and passes through varied landscapes in northern Italy.

After a flat opening section, several climbs follow, including the Passo dei Tre Termini (8.2 km at 5.9%) and the Cocca de Lodrino (8.1 km at 4.1%). Later in the stage, smaller climbs towards Roncone and San Lorenzo Dorsino will add extra fatigue to the legs.

After the first passage in Andalo, there is still a loop including a descent and a final uphill section of about two kilometers (at an average of 6%) toward the finish. Andalo is no stranger in the Giro and was the scene of a strong performance by Steven Kruijswijk back in 2016. The Dutch rider finished second in the stage behind Alejandro Valverde, although that was after a much tougher finale.

Due to the challenging route and distance, this stage seems ideal for attackers. A strong breakaway group has a good chance of the stage win, and even GC contenders will need to stay alert in the finale.

Classifications

Favorites

Grande Casino! That’s what we expect on Wednesday during the seventeenth stage to Andalo. Why? Well, the route may not include Monte Zoncolan or Passo dello Stelvio, but it barely gives riders any rest either. It’s telling that the stage ends with 3,200 meters of elevation gain. To give you an idea of the difficulty: in the Amstel Gold Race, riders cover between 2,800 and 3,000 meters of elevation.

Riders with ambitions for this stage will need a solid set of climbing legs to have even a chance at the day’s victory. Giulio Ciccone certainly has the qualities to win in Andalo, but so far, the Italian is riding a bit behind expectations. There is no doubt about his form, that is solid, but the pieces of the puzzle just haven’t come together yet.

Will he finally strike on Wednesday in a stage made for him? Time is running out for Ciccone and Lidl-Trek in what has so far been a frustrating Giro for the German team. Their other leader, Jonathan Milan, has also come away empty-handed after some failed sprints. Is Ciccone able to bring some color to Lidl-Trek’s Giro?

He will have to contend with Jhonatan Narváez, who unlike Ciccone can already look back on a successful Giro. In fact, the Ecuadorian and Jonas Vingegaard are the riders with the most stage wins in this Giro. The UAE Emirates XRG rider has triumphed in Cosenza, Fermo, and Chiavari, and on Wednesday, he gets a prime opportunity to add another win. With his climbing ability, explosiveness, and razor-sharp sprint, Narváez is a nightmare for many breakaway companions.

The Ecuadorian national champion will not only be aiming for another stage win but could also regain the lead in the points classification from Paul Magnier. Both men are locked in a fierce battle for the purple jersey. The gap between the two contenders is currently two points in favor of Magnier, but the stage winner in Andalo earns 25 points.

If Narváez somehow does not have his best legs that day, he can still work for his teammates Igor Arrieta and Jan Christen, who must also not be underestimated if the stage ends up as a contest between breakaway riders. Arrieta has already secured a stage victory (you know, after that crazy finale against Afonso Eulálio), but Christen still seems to be searching for his best form in this Giro. The Swiss rider will hope to find it soon, as his chances for another stage win are now scarce.

One rider who certainly does not have to worry about his form is Andreas Leknessund. The Norwegian might be in the shape of his life and impressed in recent weeks by twice challenging for a stage win. Both times, however, he had to concede to a rider who was just a bit better in the finale. In the stage to Fermo, the Uno-X Mobility rider collided with Narváez, while in Verbania he lost to Alberto Bettiol. Will Wednesday be the third time lucky for the strong Leknessund?

It would not be ideal for Leknessund to face Alberto Bettiol again in the finale, but that chance is not impossible. The Italian certainly marked the stage on his calendar, as a good Bettiol should be able to survive the many, but not too steep, climbs. And if he’s still there at the finish... His stage win in Verbania must have given him wings. His team XDS Astana also has Diego Ulissi, former pink jersey wearer Thomas Guillermo Silva, and Harold Martín López as options.

Soudal Quick-Step, like XDS Astana, has multiple cards to play. First and foremost, we think of Jasper Stuyven. The Belgian has already made his mark several times—both as a sprinter and attacker—and has finished second, third, and fifth on different stages. Will the ultimate reward come in the final week? The stage to Andalo might be just a bit too tough for Stuyven, but that will depend on the strength of the breakaway and his own legs. Otherwise, he can always work hard for his Italian teammates Filippo Zana and Gianmarco Garofoli.

The route may be a little tough for Stuyven, but for Wout Poels it might not be selective enough. The 38-year-old Dutchman primarily benefits from long, grueling mountain stages and will therefore be targeting stages 19 and 20 the most. However, the Rose Rockets rider knows he must seize every opportunity if he wants to complete his trilogy (this year?).

Also watch out for a contemporary of Poels, because now that Afonso Eulálio no longer holds the pink jersey, his teammate Damiano Caruso will likely have more freedom to make his move. The departing Italian climber will certainly want to embellish his last Giro d'Italia with a stage win. Or might it be a day for his younger countryman and teammate Edoardo Zambanini?

Other riders to keep an eye on include Einer Rubio, Enric Mas (Movistar), Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost), Toon Aerts, Simone Gualdi (Lotto-Intermarché), Chris Harper (Pinarello-Q36.5), Nico Denz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Koen Bouwman (Jayco AlUla), Warren Barguil (Picnic PostNL Raisin), Ludovico Crescioli (Team Polti VisitMalta), and Florian Stork (Tudor).

We would be surprised if the attackers are not given a free hand on the way to Andalo, but there is always a scenario where the GC contenders fight out the stage win. If that happens, watch out for the usual suspects including pink jersey wearer Jonas Vingegaard, Felix Gall, Jai Hindley, Thymen Arensman, Michael Storer, and—who knows—Egan Bernal.

Weather and TV

Wednesday will be a sweat-inducing day for the riders, as temperatures can reach up to 34 degrees Celsius in the early hours of the race. On the way to Andalo, it will cool down to around 26 degrees Celsius, but this will likely be accompanied by rain and even a thunderstorm. The moderate to light wind from the southwest will not have a significant impact.