Notes
2026 Giro D’Europa.
2026 was GDE’s biggest undertaking yet — and, naturally, it involved a questionable number of cars, an even more questionable number of kilometres and just enough mechanical drama to keep things interesting. The trip began with a visit to Les Leston, where we got an up-close look at the incredible craftsmanship behind its iconic steering wheels, before making a quick dash south to Monaco. From there, GDE headed into northern Italy, stopping in Bologna, Florence and, as tradition now dictates, the unmissable Lake Como. Also keeping with tradition, one of the MX-5s once again failed to make it all the way to Como. Italy’s less-than-forgiving roads, combined with the MX-5’s apparently optional relationship with reliability, eventually proved too much for it. While travelling through northern Italy, we paid visits to some of the country’s greatest automotive names, including Pagani, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Few things beat standing among million-pound hypercars and classics— unless it’s doing so after arriving in a slightly battered MX-5. Incoming weather unfortunately meant the Dolomites had to be missed, but Germany once again proved that a change of plan isn’t always a bad thing. Stuttgart and Cologne became our homes for the final stretch north, rounding off the trip with great roads, great nightlife and another unforgettable Giro di Europa. Because that is what the Giro does best: turning a route into a story, a breakdown into a punchline and a collection of questionable decisions into memories that somehow get better with every retelling. We set out chasing roads, cars and the next destination, but came home with something far more valuable — another chapter of shared chaos, unlikely moments none of us will forget. Fast cars, questionable decisions and just enough drama to make it all worthwhile: that was Giro di Europa 2026..