Date: Wednesday, May 13
Distance: 203km
Start location: Praia a Mare
Finish location: Potenza
Start time: 11:15 BST / 12:15 CEST / 06:15 EDT
Finish time (approx.): 16:15 BST / 17:15 CEST / 11:15 EDT
As if sensing its return to home soil, the Giro d'Italia has resumed at a gallop after the first rest day, and continues with a 203 kilometre slog across the instep of the Italian boot. Over 4000 kilometres of elevation gain makes for a tough day in the saddle, and the early Prestieri climb (13 kilometres at 4.6%) will no doubt see an animated opening phase for what promises to be the first true breakaway stage this year.
After a few lumps in the middle, the climbing continues inside the final 65 kilometres with the Montagna Grande di Viggiano serving up 6.6 kilometres at 9.1% where those eyeing up a stage win will need to stay alert and ready. A descent 23 kilometres from the finish leads into a final harsh ramp in the centre of Polenza – a last minute launchpad for the opportunists.
Giro d'Italia 2026 stage five profile
Contenders
After crossing the line in third on stage four to take the overall lead, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl Trek) arrives in the maglia rosa at a stage which suits his climbing capabilities – the Italian already has a Volta a Catalunya mountains jersey to his name this year and won the polka dot jersey at the 2023 Tour de France, so he’ll be expected to hold onto pink.
Twenty-one-year-old Jan Christen set up Jhonatan Narvaez’s stage four win with a late-stage attack in the final two kilometres, and will also be one to watch and could make a move over the lumpy, technical terrain of stage five. The pair’s performances show the depth of UAE-Team Emirates, despite the loss of Adam Yates, Marc Soler and Jay Vine.Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) currently holds the maglia azzurra after getting into the front group in all three Bulgarian stages, and will look to hold onto his commanding lead in the KOM competition – if his legs can hold out.
Magnus Sheffield (Netcompany-Ineos) is a versatile rider who can also be dangerous when the road goes up, and his team will be fighting for spoils after Ben Turner’s chances were sacrificed to support struggling team leader Egan Bernal on stage four.
Prediction
We think it could be Jan Christen's day for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
