CyclistMilano-Torino 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start listWith Milan-San Remo in the crosshairs, the pro peloton continues their Italian warm-up with the 150-year-old Milano-Torino. Set to be held on Wednesday 18th March 2026, the 106th edition of Milano-Torino will offer an early chance for the climbers to taste Spring Classics glory.First held in 1876, Milano-Torino is the oldest-running bike race in the world. Due to its OAP status on the pro calendar, it has changed shape over the decades. The race has been on several hiatuses, and has been held in both spring and autumn months. The route has also changed shape, but has returned to its iconic Superga finish after a brief stint as a sprinters Classic in the early 2020s.Last year, Isaac del Toro took the victory on the races long-awaited return to the Superga climb. This would go down as the Mexicans first one-day win of 2025, kickstarting a season in which he would take a further seven one-day victories in Italy. Nonetheless, Del Toro isnt set to be here to defend his title, but Tom Pidcock, Richard Carapaz and Giulio Pellizzari will start as favourites for the oldest title in pro cycling. Related Posts The best photos from men's Strade Bianche 2026 The oldest cycling races and how they've changed I was made out to be the bad guy: Tom Pidcock profile Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide Milano-Torino 2026 key informationJonathan Moscrop/Getty ImagesDate:Wednesday 18th March 2026Start:RhoFinish:Turin (Superga)Distance:174kmLive television coverage:TNT Sports, FloBikes, HBO Max, SBS, RaiPrevious winner:Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)Most wins:Costante Girardengo (5)Milano-Torino 2026 routeLike the name suggests, the parcours runs from Milan to Turin. The claim to Milan, however, is held by the start town of Rho, which sits in the citys western suburbs.Most of the profile is pan flat as the riders cut through the vast Po Valley, where the mountains are few and far between. Theres a small rise after 100km in the saddle, but the real tests arrive once the peloton crosses into Turin.In the Piedmontese capital, the riders will enter an 18.9km-long circuit, which is negotiated on two occasions in the final 40km. The centrepiece of this circuit is the iconic Superga climb (4.9km at 9.0%). This peak has been a staple of Milano-Torino and Giro dItalia history, having featured in almost 100 pro races, with its hilltop citadel and mythical status in Torinese history.The race will finish with the second ascent of Superga. The 5km climb is a real stinger, covering 449m of elevation during its short length. Gradients ramp up to 20% at points, but the 9% will be enough to weed out the field.Milano-Torino 2026 favouritesXavier PereyronWith reigning champion Isaac del Toro expected to miss Milano-Torino, the crown is up for grabs.Tom Pidcock has been on steady form in 2026, but will be fuelled by frustration after a disappointing Strade Bianche a week and a half ago. The British rider hasnt raced this Classic before, but the steep nature of the final climb should suit his explosiveness. As he prepares for some more mountainous goals on the near horizon, a win here would be much appreciated.Giulio Pellizzari has been in top form since the season got underway in January. His podium finish at Tirreno-Adriatico serves as a reminder of that, as the Italian comes into Milano-Torino with good legs. He is a strong climber, perhaps more so than Pidcock, and he should have strong support from his Red Bull teammates one of whom will be 19-year-old Lorenzo Finn.Jan Christen will be UAE Team Emirates XRGs best shot at defending this title. The Swiss rider has ridden to some impressive results this year, even if his tactics have been questionable at times.Cyclistsratings: Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost): Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar), Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana): Markel Beloki (EF Education-EasyPost) : Simon Carr (Cofidis)NOTE: The startlist is still being finalised. We will update this list of favourites as more teams reveal their line-ups.How to watch Milano-Torino 2026Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content PoolViewers in the UK and Ireland can watch Milano-Torino on TV through TNT Sports via the premium 30.99 a month subscription. Live pictures will be on TNT Sports 3, starting from 13:15 GMT. The conclusion of the mens race is expected at around 3pm GMT. To stream the race, you will have to access Discovery+, which comes included in the TNT Sports subscription.Those in Canada can catch the action on FloBikes, with HBO Max also offering coverage for American viewers, and SBS will broadcast the race in Australia. For local free-to-air coverage, Milano-Torino will be broadcast on Rai and RaiPlay.If Milano-Torino isnt being broadcast in your country, or you are travelling abroad, a VPN will allow you to hide your devices location to access content that is normally geo-blocked.Read more:Which countries can watch cycling for free in 2026Read more:How to watch cycling for less in the UKList of international broadcastersAustralia:SBSCanada:FloBikesChina:Zhibo TVEurope (minus the UK and Ireland):Eurosport, Max, Discovery+Italy:Rai SportJapan:J SportsUnited States:HBOSouth America:DirecTVCentral America:ESPNMilano-Torino 2026 start listData powered by FirstCycling.comThe post Milano-Torino 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list appeared first on Cyclist.