- Sport
Freccia dei Vini 2026
A Race Through Vineyards and Hills in the Oltrepò Pavese
On Sunday, 30 August 2026, the roads of the Oltrepò Pavese will once again come alive with cycling as the 54th edition of the Freccia dei Vini takes place — one of the region's longest-running races. Open to Elite and Under-23 categories, the race starts from Piazza Duomo in Voghera and finishes in Godiasco Salice Terme, crossing plains, villages and vine-covered hills across the province of Pavia. Organised by Oltrepò Bike Academy ASD in collaboration with the Comitato Eventi Sportivi Oltrepò, the event combines competitive cycling with a showcase of one of Lombardy's most celebrated wine territories.
Date, Schedule and Categories
The race takes place on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Riders will gather at 11:00 AM in Piazza Duomo, Voghera, followed by the official team presentation at 11:30 AM. The race gets underway at 12:45 PM. Athletes in the Elite and Under-23 categories will compete for the finish line in Godiasco Salice Terme.
The Route: 150 km Between the Plains and the Staffora Valley
The course covers approximately 150 km, transfer included, with around 1,300 metres of elevation gain. After the opening transfer from Piazza Duomo along Via Cavour, Via Gramsci, Piazza Meardi, Corso Ventisette Marzo, Via Papa Giovanni XXIII and Via Carducci, the race officially begins at Torremenapace, where the zero kilometre mark is set.
The first stretch unfolds over a flat circuit repeated three times, taking in Torremenapace, Corana, Cervesina, Pancarana, Pizzale and Oriolo — around 80 km of fast riding through farmland and small towns of the Oltrepò plains.
After looping back toward Voghera, the route changes character, passing through Rivanazzano Terme, Casalnoceto and Pozzol Groppo before reaching Monticelli, where the flat terrain gives way to the first climbs of the Staffora Valley. The race is decided on the final circuit between Monticelli, Strada dell'Alta Collina, Montalfeo and Godiasco Salice Terme, ridden three times before the finish in Salice Terme.
Those wanting to follow the course in detail can view the interactive map on Komoot, while intermediate timings are available in the official schedule published by the organisers.
Places to Discover Along the Way
Voghera, the starting point, holds landmarks such as the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Visconti Castle and the Teatro Sociale in its historic centre — a legacy of the ancient Roman town of Iria.
The flat circuit passes through Corana, Cervesina, Pancarana, Pizzale and Oriolo, small farming villages that reveal the more rural face of the Oltrepò.
Beyond Rivanazzano Terme, Casalnoceto and Pozzol Groppo mark the entrance into hilly, vine-growing countryside that climbs toward Monticelli and the Alta Collina.
Godiasco Salice Terme, the race's finish line, is historically known for its spa tradition in the heart of the Staffora Valley and hosts the closing circuit of the event.
Organisation and Partnerships
The 54th Freccia dei Vini is organised by Oltrepò Bike Academy ASD in collaboration with the Comitato Eventi Sportivi Oltrepò, with support from Regione Lombardia and the patronage of the Municipalities of Voghera and Godiasco Salice Terme.
Useful Information
Anyone wanting to follow the race can check the route map on Komoot and the event's official documents (poster, race schedule, route map and elevation profile) on the Comitato Eventi Sportivi Oltrepò website. The 2025 edition page is also available for those who want to look back at the race's history.
A Destination Worth Exploring Beyond the Race
The Freccia dei Vini is another good reason to discover the Oltrepò Pavese: between laps, spectators can take the day to visit local wineries and villages in the Staffora Valley, taking in the hillside scenery the race passes through — a landscape that makes this area a year-round destination for cycle tourism and food-and-wine travel.
