'We accepted the riders' request in Milan, but it won't happen in Rome' – Giro d'Italia confirms final stage route design and no GC neutralisation

The final stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, set to conclude with circuits in central Rome, will proceed as originally planned without any neutralisation of the general classification (GC) times. Race organiser RCS Sport has dismissed suggestions that the GC could be neutralised during the finishing laps, as occurred controversially during stage 15 in Milan. The decision marks a clear stance following the confusion caused when the GC times were neutralised over the last 16km of the Milan stage due to rider concerns about road safety. During the Milan stage, race leader Jonas Vingegaard notably dropped back to the race director’s car, prompting UCI officials and RCS Sport management to agree on the neutralisation of GC times for the final circuit. This move sparked debate within the cycling community, with riders citing unsafe road conditions and organisers maintaining the course was secure. Stefano Allocchio, Giro race director and Safety Manager, emphasised that the Milan circuit was safe and insisted that the Rome stage would not see a repeat of the neutralisation, noting that the Rome route is identical to last year’s and well known to the peloton. The neutralisation in Milan has drawn criticism and highlighted tensions between key stakeholders, including the UCI, race organisers, teams, and riders. Brent Copeland, team manager at Jayco-AlUla and president of the International Association of Professional Cycling Teams (AIGCP), expressed concerns about the impact on the sport’s image. Copeland lamented the confusion among spectators and potential investors, comparing the situation to a similar protest in 2007 and calling for better pre-race communication and cooperation between riders to avoid such disruptions in future. Looking ahead, Copeland urged GC contenders to coordinate before critical stages to maintain race integrity while ensuring safety, allowing sprinters and other riders to compete without interruption. The hope is that this approach will preserve the sport’s reputation and prevent organisers from having to neutralise races mid-stage. As the Giro approaches its finale in Rome, all eyes will be on how the riders and organisers manage safety concerns while delivering a competitive and uninterrupted conclusion to the race.