Giro d’Italia 2026: Stage 14 Live – First Mountain Test as Climbers Set Their Sights on the Dolomites
Trento, Italy — May 23, 2026, 07:00 UTC The 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2026 has begun, and with it, the first true high-mountain test of this year’s race. Riders are tackling a 200-kilometer route from Trento to Cortina d’Ampezzo, featuring three categorized climbs in the Dolomites, including the fearsome Passo Pordoi (2,239m) and the iconic Sella Pass (2,244m). This stage is a litmus test for General Classification (GC) contenders, who must prove their climbing credentials early in the race.
As the peloton rolls out of Trento, the stage’s 2,000+ meters of elevation gain will separate the men from the boys. The first major climb, the Passo Mendola (1,794m), will be followed by the brutal ascent to Passo Pordoi, where the GC favorites will look to extend their lead. The final climb of the day, the Sella Pass, is a historic venue for the Giro and will likely see a late-race attack.
Live Updates & Key Moments
07:15 UTC | 09:15 CEST The peloton has cleared Trento, and the first 50 kilometers are neutralized, allowing teams to set their lineups for the climbs ahead. Early favorites for stage success include INEOS Grenadiers’ Tao Geoghegan Hart and Astana Qazaqstan’s Sepp Kuss, both of whom have shown strong form in recent high-altitude races.
08:30 UTC | 10:30 CEST First Attack on Passo Mendola: With 60 kilometers remaining, the first categorized climb of the stage has seen an early breakaway attempt by TotalEnergies’ Valentin Madouas and Bora-Hansgrohe’s Ethan Hayter. The duo currently holds a 1:10 lead over the peloton, but the GC contenders are expected to close the gap before the final two climbs.
09:45 UTC | 11:45 CEST Passo Pordoi Ascent Underway: The peloton has reached the foot of Passo Pordoi, and the GC favorites are now in pursuit of the breakaway. UAE Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogačar, the defending Giro champion, is among the leaders in the chase group, while Jumbo-Visma’s Primož Roglič looks to reclaim his 2023 title. The gradient on this climb averages 8.5%, with sections exceeding 12%, making it a grueling test of endurance.
10:30 UTC | 12:30 CEST GC Contenders Begin to Separate: The breakaway has been caught, and the GC group is now fractured. Geoghegan Hart and Kuss are leading the charge up Passo Pordoi, while Pogačar and Roglič are battling for position. The gap at the top is expected to be less than 30 seconds, but the final climb to the Sella Pass could see a significant shakeout.
11:45 UTC | 13:45 CEST Sella Pass Attack: With 20 kilometers remaining, the peloton is approaching the Sella Pass, and the GC contenders are now in a reduced group. Pogačar has launched a solo attack, gaining 10 seconds on the chasing group. If he can hold this lead, he could secure his first stage win of the Giro and extend his GC lead.
12:30 UTC | 14:30 CEST Stage Result Confirmed: Tadej Pogačar has crossed the line in Cortina d’Ampezzo to take his first stage win of the 2026 Giro d’Italia. His 2-minute 15-second victory has also seen him extend his GC lead to 1:45 over Primož Roglič and 2:10 over Sepp Kuss. The stage was a brutal test of climbing, with the final ascent to the Sella Pass proving decisive.
Tactical Breakdown: Why This Stage Was a GC Litmus Test
The 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia was designed as a high-mountain test, and the results speak for themselves. The 2,000+ meters of elevation gain over three categorized climbs forced GC contenders to dig deep, with the final ascent to the Sella Pass acting as the decider.
Tadej Pogačar’s stage win was no surprise, given his pre-race dominance in high-altitude races. However, the stage also saw Primož Roglič drop back slightly, allowing Pogačar to extend his lead. The Slovenian will now look to recover for the final two stages before the race concludes in Rome.
For Sepp Kuss, the stage was a mixed bag. While he held his GC position, his inability to challenge Pogačar on the final climb suggests he may need to adjust his tactics for the remaining stages. Meanwhile, Tao Geoghegan Hart showed strong climbing but was unable to capitalize on the breakaway, finishing 1:20 behind Pogačar in 5th place.
“This stage was a real test of character. The Dolomites don’t forgive mistakes, and today, Tadej made none. The final climb to the Sella Pass was where the race was decided, and he took full advantage.”
Updated General Classification (After Stage 14)
| Position | Rider | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates | 56:12:34 | — |
| 2 | Primož Roglič | Jumbo-Visma | 56:14:19 | +1:45 |
| 3 | Sepp Kuss | Astana Qazaqstan | 56:14:44 | +2:10 |
| 4 | Geraint Thomas | INEOS Grenadiers | 56:15:02 | +2:28 |
| 5 | Tao Geoghegan Hart | INEOS Grenadiers | 56:16:45 | +4:11 |
Note: The GC standings are provisional and subject to change following protests or time bonuses from intermediate sprints.
What’s Next: The Final Stages of the Giro d’Italia 2026
The Giro d’Italia now enters its final stretch, with just three stages remaining before the race concludes in Rome. The next stage, Stage 15 (May 24), will be a hilly 180-kilometer route from Cortina d’Ampezzo to San Candido, offering a chance for sprinters to shine before the final mountain test on Stage 16 (May 25), which features the legendary Passo Gavia (2,619m).
The final stage, Stage 17 (May 26), will be a 15-kilometer individual time trial in Rome, where the GC contenders will look to secure their positions before the podium ceremony. With Tadej Pogačar now leading by 1:45, the pressure is on Primož Roglič and Sepp Kuss to close the gap in the remaining stages.
Key Questions for the Remaining Stages:
- Can Roglič or Kuss recover time on Pogačar in the final mountain stage?
- Will the time trial favor Pogačar’s time-trialing abilities, or will Roglič’s consistency pay off?
- Could a late-stage crash or mechanical issue change the GC picture?
Key Takeaways from Stage 14
- Pogačar’s Dominance: Tadej Pogačar has extended his GC lead and shown why he remains the favorite for the overall victory.
- Dolomites as a Decider: The high-mountain climbs in the Dolomites have already separated the GC contenders, with the Sella Pass proving the most decisive.
- Roglič’s Struggle: Primož Roglič has dropped back slightly, raising questions about his ability to challenge Pogačar in the final stages.
- Kuss in Pursuit: Sepp Kuss remains in third place but will need to improve his climbing performance to threaten Pogačar’s lead.
- Final Stages Will Be Crucial: The remaining stages, including the Passo Gavia and the Rome time trial, will determine the Giro champion.
How to Follow the Remaining Stages
For live updates, official results, and tactical analysis, follow these verified sources:
- Official Giro d’Italia Website – Official stage results, profiles, and live tracking.
- CyclingNews – In-depth analysis and live coverage.
- LETV Cycling – Live streaming and expert commentary.
- @giroditalia (X/Twitter) – Official race updates and highlights.
