Thursday May 21st – Giro d’Italia 2026 stage 12: Imperia → Novi Ligure (175 km)

Stage 12 covers 175 kilometres from the Ligurian coastal town of Imperia to Novi Ligure. Most of the route is flat to gently rolling, with two categorised climbs in the middle section. The finale unfolds on the Po plain, where the race heads to the finish on largely straight roads.

After the start in Imperia the peloton leaves the coast and tackles a gradual rise inland. Via Pieve di Teco the route returns toward the sea and joins the Via Aurelia, ridden in the opposite direction to Milano–Sanremo. Between Albenga and Savona several short coastal rises appear, but none are officially categorised.

Just past Savona the race turns away from the coast for good and begins the Colle Giovo. This ascent runs for roughly 11.4 kilometres at an average gradient of 4.4%. A short descent leads into the Bric Berton, 5.5 kilometres at around 5.9%. Together these climbs form the main climbing section of the stage.

After the descent from Bric Berton the route reaches the Po Valley. The final fifty kilometres are mostly flat with only minor undulations and a few short rises, but no significant elevation. In the closing phase the race uses wide, straight roads around Novi Ligure.

The last three kilometres are virtually straight, interrupted only by a few roundabouts that require minimal deviation. The finish is on a long, straight stretch of asphalt, suited to a sprint of a larger group.