Cycling
The Red Bull KM returns to the Giro d'Italia in 2026
Last year's new addition has been confirmed for a return in 2026 and will again impact the overall classification, as world cycling's biggest names chase precious seconds to win the pink jersey.
The Giro d'Italia 2026 will see the return of the Red Bull KM – an exciting innovation first introduced last year that quickly left its mark on the general classification, adding a new layer of intensity to the battle for the pink jersey.
This year, however, a key change is set to reshape the race dynamics – the Red Bull KM will be positioned much closer to the finish line, shaking up the tactics and raising the stakes in the final moments of each stage.
In 20 of the 21 stages (excluding the time trial – stage 10), the Red Bull KM will force GC contenders to battle for seconds at a critical late stage of each race, with little opportunity to recover – ultimately making stage finales more aggressive and unpredictable.
The Red Bull KM will once again feature at the Giro d'Italia in 2026
© Red Bull Content Pool
01
What is the Red Bull KM?
Twenty of the 21 stages of this year’s edition, scheduled from May 8-31, will feature a Red Bull branded kilometre, which will serve as the “gateway” to the only intermediate sprint that counts toward the general classification: the first three riders to cross the exit gate of the kilometre will earn time bonuses of six, four, and two seconds, respectively.
Expect more drama during the Red Bull KM sprints
© Red Bull Content Pool
Since the Red Bull KM will be the only intermediate point of the race awarding bonus seconds for the overall standings – alongside the stage finish, where the winner gets a 10-second bonus – it aims to ignite fierce battles within the peloton.
02
How will it affect the hunt for the pink jersey?
The fight for bonus seconds will be crucial from the very first stages in Bulgaria, when the standings are still tight. Featured in every sprint stage, the Red Bull KM will intensify the battle for the lead all the way to the grand finale in Rome. Just a few seconds can overturn the predictions and change everything - like in 1948, when the winner of the Giro d’Italia claimed victory by just an 11-second margin.
The Red Bull KM motivates teams to focus even more on their strategies on breakaways and fight for the time bonuses. At the same time, attackers and the main group will have an additional incentive to deliver excitement for fans watching one of the toughest races in the world, held in a truly beautiful country.
03
Where will the Red Bull KM be located?
The explosive sprint for the Red Bull KM prize on Stage 1 was a great debut
© RCS Sports & Events/Red Bull Content Pool
Here are the positions of the Red Bull KM in each stage at the 2026 Giro d'Italia:
- May 8 – Stage 1: Nessebar – Burgas / 32.3km to the finish
- May 9 – Stage 2: Burgas – Veliko Tarnovo / 15.5km to the finish
- May 10 – Stage 3: Plovdiv – Sofia / 13.0km to the finish
- May 12 – Stage 4: Catanzaro – Cosenza / 11.6km to the finish
- May 13 – Stage 5: Praia a Mare – Potenza / 28.8km to the finish
- May 14 – Stage 6: Paestum – Napoli / 23.7km to the finish
- May 15 – Stage 7: Formia – Blockhaus / 11.9km to the finish
- May 16 – Stage 8: Chieti – Fermo / 25.3km to the finish
- May 17 – Stage 9: Cervia – Corno alle Scale / 11.4km to the finish
- May 20 – Stage 11: Porcari (Paper District) – Chiavari / 12.6km to the finish
- May 21 – Stage 12: Imperia – Novi Ligure / 13.4km to the finish
- May 22 – Stage 13: Alessandria – Verbania / 16.7 km to the finish
- May 23 – Stage 14: Aosta – Pila / 17.0km to the finish
- May 24 – Stage 15: Voghera – Milano / 42.2km to the finish
- May 26 – Stage 16: Bellinzona – Carì / 12.4km to the finish
- May 27 – Stage 17: Cassano d’Adda – Andalo / 15.4km to the finish
- May 28 – Stage 18: Fai della Paganella – Pieve di Soligo / 16.7km to the finish
- May 29 – Stage 19: Feltre – Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) / 32.4km to the finish
- May 30 – Stage 20: Gemona del Friuli 1976-2026 – Piancavallo / 23.7km to the finish
- May 31 – Stage 21: Roma – Roma / 19.8km to the finish
The first Red Bull KM will be seen in Stage 1 in Bulgaria
© Red Bull Content Pool
The Red Bull KM locations will be much closer to the finish line this year
© Red Bull Content Pool
There'll be intense battles as each stage draws to a close
© Red Bull Content Pool
Rome will once again stage the final action
© Red Bull Content Pool
04
How the bonus points will impact the general classification
The challenge will be interesting right from the first stages in Bulgaria and southern Italy, when the classification will be 'short' and time trialists and sprinters will be able to dream of the lead before the road begins to climb. The Red Bull KM, which is present on every road stage, will liven up the battle for the lead until the grand finale in Rome and will prove decisive if the gaps between the contenders for victory are narrow.
Cyclists at Red Bull KM during Giro d’Italia stage 4
© RCS Sports & Events / Red Bull Content Pool
The excitement is building as fans line the roads and tune in from home - it's showtime at the Giro d'Italia! Get ready for more thrilling battles all the way to the finish line in Rome.