Giro-E Enel 2026 – Stage 3 Pompeii – Naples

The rain that didn’t spare the Giro yesterday didn’t spare today’s Giro-E either. Crazy weather, which is perfectly normal this time of the year, but even with the initial bad weather, today’s stage was absolutely wonderful.

Naples was the third stage of the Giro-E Enel 2026: what a delight! Today’s stage truly was a wonderful one, with its starting point in Pompeii for the second consecutive year. This section of the race was promoted by the Metropolitan City of Naples and the Campania Region and all participants turned up, as is fitting for places where history and beauty dialogue with the contemporary, dazzling the senses.

Naples was hosting a stage of the Giro (and the Giro-E) for the fifth consecutive time. After four finishes on the Caracciolo seaside, this year’s finish was in Piazza del Plebiscito, another hallmark of the city; this was the 47th Giro stage finish for Naples. Pretty impressive.

This has been a good period for Naples in terms of major sporting events. And after all this cycling, next year the city is going to host the America’s Cup. The 38th edition of this competition will feature its final race in the Gulf of Naples, scheduled for 10 July. Get your ticket! It’s going to be an amazing event.

The Pompeii-Naples stage

Between a coffee overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pompeii and a view of the world’s most admired gulf, the stage was about 80 kilometres in length, flat but nevertheless to be conquered kilometre by kilometre without being able to rely on motor assistance, which on flat terrain is minimal if not non-existent, and which must be turned off by law at 25 kilometres per hour. But it was certainly worth it. Those who rode their bikes in the Giro-E today were very lucky indeed, as they got to cycle in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius as they headed towards the heart of Naples. When there is so much beauty awaiting them, a bit of sweat is anything but an obstacle.

After setting off, the Giro-E cyclists went through a 25.8-kilometre off-course section, before joining the route of the Giro d’Italia’s sixth stage, cycling through a near constant series of urban areas. Before they entered the city, there was the traditional and wonderful cheering of the local hero, Lello Ferrara, who was celebrated with a cake and sparkling wine; it almost looked like it was his birthday!

The final part of the stage was on large, paved roads, with a cobbled section, however, right at the end. Just to spice things up after such a sweet, pleasant ride.

Personality of the day – Giuseppe Desiderio

Born in Naples, in the Ponticelli neighbourhood, Giuseppe Desiderio is the massage therapist of the UAE Team Emirates, a team that also includes world-class cyclist Tadej Pogacar. He too took part in today’s section, to see what it felt like. “I am here thanks to Lello Ferrara, who invited me, and Giacomo Nizzolo, who let me join his team. It was an amazing gift. I spend 180 days a year away from home. For the past 20 years, I haven’t lived in Naples but in the Canary Islands. I lost count of how many Giro d’Italia editions I’ve participated in, but I’ve never seen anything; I’ve always been behind the scenes. This year I’m not taking part in the Giro, but I’m going to do the Tour and the Vuelta. I arrived yesterday and I’m leaving tomorrow. I really enjoyed it today; I love being in my hometown, a place I hadn’t seen in such a long time. It’s been an incredible feeling. It’s hard to explain everything that’s behind a great cycling team. There’s a huge amount of work. It’s like making a film and it’s hard to even imagine. To me it’s a wonderful job. People who do a job they like are very fortunate. I’ve been doing what I love for 25 years, 15 of which have been with the UAE Team Emirates, which is one of the very few Pro Tour teams that is still a family. When one of ours wins, we all celebrate together. Luckily it happens a lot.”