Giro dell'Emilia 2026: Preview and Favourites. Pidcock and Pellizzari Lead the Startlist

Giro dell'Emilia 2026: Top Cycling Returns to Emilia On Saturday, 3 October 2026, the Giro dell'Emilia takes place, a ProSeries race held in Italy. The verified startlist features six riders, a small field that promises a selective and tactical race from the very first kilometres. The Expected Protagonists The startlist includes some of the biggest names in the sport: Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team) Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) Damiano Caruso (Bahrain - Victorious) Fernando Barceló (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) The 2026 Season of the Protagonists Tom Pidcock The Brit has built a high-level season: 7th in the World Championships road race, 6th at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, 4th at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, and 1st at the GP Industria e Artigianato. He also secured a 10th place in a stage of the 2026 Tour de France. Giulio Pellizzari The young Italian is coming off a very solid end to the season: 1st at the Giro della Toscana - Memorial Alfredo Martini, 2nd at the Memorial Marco Pantani, 4th at Milano-Torino, and 6th at the Gran Premio città di Peccioli - Coppa Sabatini. He also achieved a notable result in a stage of the Vuelta a Burgos. Lorenzo Fortunato The Venetian climber has shown consistent form: 8th at Milano-Torino, 10th in a stage of the Vuelta a España, and 4th in two stages of the Tour de Romandie. His ability to hold on on long climbs makes him a dangerous opponent on the Emilia walls. Alessandro Fancellu The MBH Bank rider has raced consistently: 9th at Milano-Torino, 6th at the Giro di Campania, 5th at the Giro della Toscana - Memorial Alfredo Martini, and 1st in a stage of the Giro d'Abruzzo. Damiano Caruso The Sicilian from Bahrain - Victorious secured climbing results at the 2026 Giro d'Italia: 3rd on stage 17, 7th on stage 19, and 8th on stage 20. His experience will be a factor in reduced finishes. Fernando Barceló The Spaniard from Caja Rural - Seguros RGA has shown an affinity for the Ardennes classics: 8th at De Brabantse Pijl - La Flèche Brabançonne, 19th at La Flèche Wallonne, and 10th at Ronde van Limburg. Favourites for Victory Tom Pidcock is the most complete profile in the startlist. His victory at the GP Industria e Artigianato, combined with his placings in Montréal, Québec, and at the World Championships, makes him the main reference on a hilly classic course. Giulio Pellizzari is the other standout name: his victory at the Giro della Toscana and second place at the Memorial Pantani testify to excellent form on Italian climbs. Lorenzo Fortunato is the most reliable pure climber in the group. His climbing results at the Vuelta and Tour de Romandie make him a contender for a leading role. Among possible surprises, Alessandro Fancellu has the form to mix it up at the front, while Fernando Barceló could be the long-range breakaway man. Damiano Caruso remains a dangerous card thanks to his experience. With a startlist of only six riders, the race could be controlled by a few teams. Pidcock and Pellizzari are the most marked: Red Bull-BORA and Q36.5 are likely to control attacks, while Fortunato and Fancellu will try to anticipate on the penultimate climb. Tom Pidcock secured a notable result in a stage of the 2026 Tour de France, a sign of competitive form even in grand tours — source: Rider results history, Giro dell'Emilia 2026. Damiano Caruso claimed three top-10 finishes in stages of the 2026 Giro d'Italia (3rd on stage 17, 7th on stage 19, 8th on stage 20) — source: Rider results history, Giro dell'Emilia 2026.