Memorial Marco Pantani 2026 Preview: Racing in the Climber's Name
Memorial Marco Pantani 2026 brings hilly one-day racing to Emilia-Romagna on September 12. Andrea Bagioli won the 2025 edition in a race that regularly attracts WorldTour talent alongside continental riders.
The 2026 Memorial Marco Pantani honors one of cycling's most iconic climbers with a continental one-day race through the Emilia-Romagna hills. Andrea Bagioli won the 2025 edition, and Tadej Pogacar's 2024 victory confirmed that this race continues to attract WorldTour names despite its continental classification.
The course typically features rolling terrain with enough climbing to reward aggressive riders without turning it into a pure climber's affair. Expect repeated accelerations, positioning battles on narrow roads, and a finale decided by a small group or a solo move. The warm September weather and emotional weight of Pantani's name usually produce committed, attacking racing from a field willing to take risks.