The first Grand tour to run but the last of the Route announcements.
The eagerly awaited Giro d’Italia was finally released on Dec 1st.

May 25 – June 1 | GIRO d’ITALIA 2026 | $7300.00

Pick-up: 25 May 2026 (Brescia).
Drop-off: 1 June 2026 (Brescia).

This will be a small group tour run by Annabelle and Jamie Drew.
Staying at local and very regional family run accommodation. We will dine at some of our favourite and often frequented restaurants.

We commence this tour lakeside (Lago Iseo). It’s a rest day in the Giro but a gentle warm up for us. We then ride into the mountainous Italian pre Alpe region. Day 3, will be our first race viewing, as the Giro heads eastwards into the Dolomites, and so do we. Staying the next three nights in Arabba we will knock over the ‘Sella Ronde’, and finally ride the Passo Giau, viewing the riders on the ‘Cima Coppi’. Our next transition stage we are aiming for the Giro finish town of ‘Piancavallo’ although we will be on a different route with a substantial head start, in time to view the Piancavallo mountain top Saturday finish, certain to be decisive for the Maglia Rosa. As the (poor) pros travel all the way to Rome, we will make the most of the region we are in (Veneto) and ride our one last mountainous loop, just to finish the legs off but back in time to take in the final sprint on the telly.

Topbike Giro Tour: 8 days (7 nights). 3 different locations.

While following the Giro is the focus of the tour, there will be plenty of riding on offer and we will cross paths to view the race on 3 different stages.

Please contact us with your expression of interest or to request a detailed itinerary.

Meanwhile, if the rolling hills of Tuscany and sipping Chianti are more your thing, consider Topbike’s Tuscan Tour May 13 – 20th, 2026

Situated in the heart of the French Alps at the base of Alpe d’Huez, come and ride the famous (and the lesser known) climbs of the region. Dine at our ‘local’ favourites each night that Topbike came to love when we lived there in 2024. Knock over Alpe d’Huez, Glandon, Galibier, Telegraph, Col de la Croix de Fer, Notre Dame, Ornon, Col du Sarenne, Pass du Confession, Les Deux Alpes, Col de la Morte…

…take a post ride dip in the Icy waters of the Riviere Olle (no relation) and rehabilitate the late afternoon with drinks in the Garden under the Willow tree, watch the tour at the end of each day ‘In the time zone’.

(See some Tour highlights from our past French Alps Tours  in the French Alps Tours Highlights & Photogallery)

In 2024 when we lived in France, Betty took up downhill racing. Dave (initially) reluctantly ‘suited’ up. I was unable to that year due to ACL surgery. I have now finally visited the alternate universe of DH MTB racing. We three took on a round of the Vic DH series at Shepparton and then the Vic champs at Kinglake. Now the level of competition for Betty is pretty high with an U17 girl clocking the fastest time on course for women’s field. The real race however is within the family and I am sneaking up on Dave…whilst I am enjoying improving at something bike related at the age of 57, I realise that my rapid rise will be less steep than Betty’s! We (all 3) plan to race the Megavalanche in France in 2026, assuming we get through this summer.

Emma Dave and Betty Calendar

When chasing MTB XC, MTB Enduro and MTB DH there are plenty of clashes. Throw in the odd summer ski camp/airbag and some social rides and the calendar fills up quickly. Over Christmas we will mostly be around at Mt Beauty. It’s a great area to clock some vertical ascent on the roadie so come and say hi..

Merry Christmas and a healthy and fun crash free year ahead to all our Topbike readers. I hope Santa brings something missing from the collection…

Emma Colson (AKA MBW)
December 2025

WILIER Hybrid E-bikes available, so get your non-cycling friends along to join you, so they can share in the fun.