Vingegaard’s Triple Crown Quest Opens Up the Best Giro Bikepacking Route in Years

Only 7 riders have won all three Grand Tours. Jonas Vingegaard wants to be #8. The Giro 2026 route is brutally beautiful.

Jonas Vingegaard has won the Tour de France twice. He took the Vuelta a España. One race remains.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Vingegaard has a deal to race the 2026 Giro d’Italia. If he wins, he joins cycling’s most exclusive club—the Grand Tour Triple Crown.

But forget the racing. For bikepackers, the 2026 Giro route is a masterpiece. Bulgaria to Rome. Dolomites at their most savage. 49,150 meters of climbing across 3,459 kilometers.

Here’s how to ride it.

The Route: Bulgaria to Rome

For the first time ever, the Giro starts outside Western Europe—in Bulgaria.

Stage 1 departs from Nessebar, a 2,600-year-old Greek colony on the Black Sea coast. It finishes in Burgas. Ancient history meets modern racing.

From there, the race transfers to Italy and pushes north toward the Dolomites, where the pink jersey will be won or lost.

The finish? Rome. Because of course it is.

The Dolomites Stages You Need to Ride

This is why you’re here.

Stage 19—The Queen Stage: Feltre to Alleghe. 151 kilometers. Over 5,000 meters of climbing.

The hits: Passo Duran. Forcella Staulanza. Passo Giau. Passo Falzarego. Finish at Piani di Pezzè—4.9 kilometers at 9.8%.

Passo Giau is the Cima Coppi of this Giro, the race’s highest point at 2,305 meters. It last appeared in 2021 when Egan Bernal attacked through the snow and never looked back.

Stage 20—Piancavallo: The penultimate mountain stage climbs Piancavallo twice. Marco Pantani won here in 1998 before taking the overall. The roads are etched into cycling history.

A 10-Day Bikepacking Itinerary

Days 1-2: Fly into Venice. Transfer to Feltre. Rest and prepare.

Days 3-4: Ride the Stage 19 route. Tackle Passo Giau. Camp near Alleghe with Dolomite spires towering above.

Days 5-6: Continue to Piancavallo. Double ascent if you’re feeling strong. Single if you’re honest.

Days 7-8: Explore the Sella Ronda—the Dolomites’ most famous cycling circuit. Four passes. 53 kilometers. Endless views.

Days 9-10: Recovery ride through the valleys. Transfer out from Venice or Verona.

The Climbs

Passo Giau (2,305m): 10 kilometers at 9.3% average. The steepest sections hit 15%. Exposed. Relentless. Beautiful.

Passo Falzarego (2,105m): More forgiving gradients but stunning WWI history. The mountain was a front line.

Piancavallo (1,290m): Not the highest, but the double ascent breaks legs. Pantani’s ghost rides with you.

Logistics

When to go: The Giro runs May 8-31, 2026. Ride before for empty roads or after for warmer weather. August brings tourists; September brings quiet.

Accommodation: Mountain rifugios (huts) dot the Dolomites. Book in advance for the famous ones. Many offer half-board—dinner and breakfast included.

Weather: Dolomite weather changes fast. Snow is possible at altitude into June. Pack layers. Always.

Bail-outs: Valleys have good bus connections. Italian trains are reliable if you need to escape weather.

Why This Matters

Vingegaard’s Triple Crown attempt will bring global attention to the Giro. Sponsors will pour in. Coverage will spike. The mountains will trend on social media.

But the roads don’t care about racing. The Passo Giau was there before professional cycling and will be there after.

You don’t need to compete for the pink jersey. You just need a bike, some climbing legs, and a willingness to suffer beautifully.

The Dolomites deliver. Every time.