Transitalia Marathon 2026: stages from Rimini to Termoli, rules and how to prepare the motorcycle

The twelfth edition heads farther south than ever

Termoli is the southernmost point ever reached by the event, and Castel di Sangro is a completely new stage.

The organizers stated that they were inspired by the 1989 Rally del Titano, recreating as faithfully as possible the locations and atmosphere of the great Italian raids of the late 1980s, with routes recovered from historic roadbooks. The stages were announced as long and highly technical, with constant changes of pace and long off-road sections tailored to maxi enduro bikes.

Who's behind the 2026 edition

This year's event is jointly overseen by Mirco Urbinati, founder of the Transitalia, Alessandro Masetti, and Beppe Gualini. Morbidelli returns as Official Lead Motorcycle, the lead bike, together with the Rally Team Azzurrorosa, and brings its adventure range to the Expo demo rides. Ducati is officially present for the second year: those who register with the manufacturer can tackle the Complex track accompanied by Ducati Product Geniuses and riders. According to reports in the trade press, almost 400 participants from 23 countries took the start in 2025.

Four stages from Rimini to Termoli, through five regions

The organizers have not published the mileage for the individual stages, so we do not report it. However, the regulations recommend an average speed of around 35 km/h: a figure that says a great deal about the type of roads.

The exact tracks are provided only to participants and may not be shared: anyone who publishes an official track risks permanent exclusion. Here you will find the character of each day, not the roads.

Stage 1 – Rimini → Città di Castello (28 September)

You leave the coast and immediately head into inland Italy, among the gentle contours of Montefeltro and the first hills of the Apennines. The organizers indicate a route over the Alpe della Luna before descending into the Upper Tiber Valley. Città di Castello, in the province of Perugia, is a historic city of art with ancient origins, a Roman municipium known as Tifernum Tiberinum, and a historic stop for the Transitalia. This is the stage where you find your rhythm: the first day with a loaded motorcycle, the first hours of navigation, and the first unpaved roads. The veterans' advice is not to overdo it, because there are four days and fatigue catches up with you at the end.

Stage 2 – Città di Castello → Cascia (September 29)

An early-morning departure and a long day along the Apennine ridge, through the wilder parts of Umbria. Following the roadbook from the historic editions of the late 1980s, the route descends toward the Colfiorito plateau before climbing back toward Cascia, in Valnerina, known worldwide for the Sanctuary of Saint Rita. Cascia had already hosted a stage in 2022. Here, the Apennines begin to make their presence felt, with higher elevations and cooler mornings.

Abruzzo and Molise are the real new features of 2026

Stage 3 – Cascia → Castel di Sangro (September 30)

This is the new stage of the edition. The route skirts Lazio and climbs toward Abruzzo through some of the region's most spectacular highlands, with wide roads and open views. Castel di Sangro, in Alto Sangro in the province of L'Aquila, sits at around 800 meters above sea level: in late September, that means crisp air in the morning and layers of clothing. It is the most mountainous day of the journey.

Stage 4 – Castel di Sangro → Termoli (October 1)

The final day crosses all of Molise, a little-known land that the organizers compare to the roads of the great rallies of the 1980s, skirting Puglia and reaching the Adriatic. The finish is in Termoli, with the old town and the Swabian Castle as the final backdrop: it is the first time the Transitalia Marathon has reached the city.

Complex, Plain or Road: each day, you choose how much dirt riding to do

This is the biggest difference compared with a group ride. For each stage, every participant receives three routes and can choose which one to follow, even switching during the day.

The GPX tracks arrive by email a few days before the start (the FAQ says three days) and must be loaded onto the GPS before arriving. The printed roadbook is optional; it can be collected at the desk during the checks and costs an additional €50, but it is not handed out to anyone who does not have a roadbook holder and trip master mounted on the motorcycle. The RADAR document, with instructions for navigating the tracks safely, must also be printed every evening. There are passage controls on the Complex and at the junction points between tracks, intended to ensure that no one is left behind.

A typical day: start at 8 a.m., briefing at 9 p.m.

• Document and motorcycle checks: at Piazzale Fellini in Rimini, Friday the 25th from 3 p.m., and Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th from 10 a.m. The regulations and utility page list closing times that differ by one hour: it is best not to arrive at the last minute.
• Start of the first stage: Monday, September 28 at 8:30 a.m. from Piazzale Fellini. On the following days, the start is between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., with three riders per minute, approaching the starting table with the engine switched off.
• End-of-stage Village: open from 3:30 p.m., so there is no need to rush. The route card must be handed in for the arrival stamp; anyone arriving after 8 p.m. or skipping the end of the stage must notify the organizers.
• Dinner at 8 p.m. and briefing at 9 p.m., at the dinner venue: the evening briefing is mandatory for all categories. Anyone who skips it without a valid reason will not set off with the group the next day and will reach the end of the stage on asphalt.

The Transitalia Expo in Rimini is open to everyone and free

The Transitalia Expo, now in its fifth edition, is the open-air motorcycle travel show held before the start: September 25, 26 and 27, 2026 between Piazzale Fellini, Lungomare Tintori and Rotonda Lucio Battisti, in Rimini Marina Centro, with free admission. Motorcycle manufacturers with demo rides, accessory and clothing companies, talks and workshops with travelers, and, for the first time, tourism promotion organizations from the areas along the route will be there. The Metzeler tire replacement service operates in the Village and can be booked in advance. Announced exhibitors include SEFO Group, the Italian distributor of LOBOO, the brand behind several accessories mentioned below. On Monday morning, September 28, admission is still free, and visitors can watch the start.

Eligible motorcycles: maxi enduro bikes over 140 kg; specialist enduro bikes are not allowed

At the Rimini Village check-in, the organization verifies that:

• the motorcycle must comply with the Highway Code and must be the one declared at registration;
• it must be a maxi enduro weighing more than 140 kg: specialized enduro motorcycles are not permitted, nor are quad bikes or trial plates;
• it must be fitted with a knobby tire such as the Metzeler Karoo 4, unless you choose to ride only the Road track;
• the exhaust must comply with regulations and not be noisy;
• the rider and any passenger must wear suitable clothing and protective equipment for a long off-road journey, including on the Road track.

A non-compliant motorcycle will not be allowed to start, and the fee will not be refunded. Any motorcycle change for technical reasons must be reported 30 days before departure.

License, FMI membership card, and rider requirements

Anyone of any nationality may participate, provided they have a valid motorcycle license and a current-year FMI membership card, which is also mandatory for the passenger in category C1 and is not included in the fee; those who do not have one can obtain it through the organizing motorcycle club. It is mandatory to wear technical riding gear with boots, protective equipment, and a helmet; the regulations also recommend an airbag, knee pads, and a neck brace. Previous editions also required a certificate of good physical fitness: if you have any doubts about the medical documentation, confirmation must be requested from the organization.

How much it costs: €980 fee, but hotels and fuel are not included

The fee includes access to the Village for the three days of the Expo, the official dinner on Sunday the 27th and the opening ceremony, the three GPX tracks for each stage with passage permits, logistical, medical, and mechanical staff along the route, first aid and support vehicles, luggage transport to the end of each stage, access to the stage Villages, five evening dinners, a t-shirt, backpack, and edition merchandise. Part of the fee is donated to charity projects for children with severe disabilities.

The fee does not include the FMI membership, accommodation, fuel, lunches, or recovery of the motorcycle using vehicles other than those provided by the organization. The accompanying mechanical assistance handles quick repairs: participants are responsible for lengthy work and replacement parts. If the motorcycle breaks down, the organization's vehicles will take it, where possible, to the nearest paved road. For hotels, the organization works with the tour operator Euphemia, but everyone is free to book wherever they prefer.

The van carries only one soft bag, and this changes how you prepare.

This is the most underestimated point by those taking part for the first time.

• Only one soft bag per participant, labeled with their first and last name: hard cases are not recommended, and the organizers are not liable for damage.
• No electronic devices in the loaded bags, or otherwise clearly marked.
• The luggage must be handed in within one hour of the first departure and collected as soon as you arrive, because it does not remain on the vans overnight.
• The Village is not always close to the hotel: the luggage must be convenient to carry on the motorcycle for the final stretch.
• At the end of the event, there is no luggage transport for the return to Rimini.

You therefore need two different systems. The first is a soft, waterproof duffel bag for a change of clothes and evening essentials, which travels on the van and is attached to the seat at the end of each stage to get to the hotel. The IPX6 waterproof rear case, from 40 to 90 liters is designed precisely for this use; to choose the capacity, see the guide motorcycle rear bag: how many liters are needed. The second is the day's load, which stays on the motorcycle: tools, tire repair kit, water, rain gear, documents, chargers. With the bulk of the luggage on the van, the motorcycle can stay light, and every kilo less is noticeable on the Complex.

How to prepare the motorcycle: everything done with a few hundred kilometers to spare

Four consecutive days of guided roads and dirt tracks are unforgiving of postponed maintenance. A leak or a loose bolt is better discovered at home than in Castel di Sangro.

Tires

Knobby tires are required for off-road sections. Check the depth and integrity of the knobs, not just the center of the tread: the legal minimum of 1 mm is not a sensible benchmark for more than 1,000 km of dirt roads. Inspect the sidewalls for cuts and check the tire's age using the DOT code (the last four digits indicate the week and year). Pressures should be set according to the motorcycle and tire manufacturer's specifications for the load and intended use: there is no universal value. If the tires are already halfway through their service life, consider replacing them at the Village's Metzeler service, booking it in advance.

Brakes

Dust and mud accelerate brake pad wear: fit new ones if they are more than half worn. Check the discs, the age of the fluid according to the manufacturer's interval, and the hoses.

Drivetrain

Check the tension with the bike loaded, wear on the front and rear sprockets, and chain smoothness. On dusty dirt roads, it should be cleaned and lubricated every evening. The step-by-step method is in the guide to maintaining a touring motorcycle chain.

Oil, filters and suspension

If the service is due soon, bring it forward. Check the oil, coolant and especially the air filter, the component that works hardest on dry dirt roads. Adjust the preload to the actual weight: with the large luggage on the van, the motorcycle is lighter than on a normal trip. Check the fork seals.

Electrical system and lighting

GPS devices, smartphones and intercoms need power for many hours a day: check the battery, terminals and charging, and secure the USB sockets properly, protecting them from water. At the end of September in central Italy, the sun sets shortly before 19:00: check the headlight, brake light and indicators. Any additional lights must be type-approved and installed in accordance with regulations, because the motorcycle must be road-legal during the check: here we explain how to read auxiliary light type approval.

Protection and navigation

On dirt roads, a stationary or low-speed fall is the most common, and it always damages levers, engine sides, radiator and headlight. You also need a device that can read GPX files, mounted on a rigid holder with reliable power. To choose the right device, read the motorcycle sat-nav guide.

Motorcycle checklist before departure

• Knobby tyres, intact knobs, sidewalls without cuts, age checked
• Pressures set according to the manufacturer's specifications, load and use
• Brake pads above half their thickness, brake fluid within its service interval, hoses intact
• Chain tensioned with the bike loaded, drive kit not at the end of its service life
• Service completed with a margin, oil and coolant levels correct
• Air filter clean or new
• Suspension preload adjusted to the actual weight
• Battery charged, terminals clean, charging checked
• Headlight, brake light, indicators and horn working
• Fasteners for the guards, luggage rack and mounts rechecked
• Handguards, engine guards, radiator and headlight protection fitted
• Rigid GPS mount, water-protected USB power supply
• GPX tracks loaded and RADAR document printed
• Two inner tubes of the correct size and a tubeless repair kit if you have tubeless tires
• Specific tools for your motorcycle
• Road-legal exhaust, motorcycle compliant with the Highway Code
• Motorcycle documents, driver's license, FMI membership card
• Technical riding gear with boots, protectors, and helmet

What to bring: mandatory equipment comes first

The rule is simple: anything you do not use at least once a day, or that will not save your day in the event of a breakdown, stays at home.

The official requirements ask every participant to carry two inner tubes, a tubeless repair kit if the tires are tubeless, and their motorcycle's specific tool set at all times. The set should stay in a fixed, accessible place: the roll-up tool bag made of TPU-coated nylon weighs 214 g and keeps every wrench in its own pocket. After a repair, the tire must be reinflated: the 150 PSI, 294 g portable compressor takes up about as much space as a water bottle. What to put in the roll, wrench by wrench, is covered in the motorcycle tool kit guide.

• Rider: helmet, technical riding gear with protectors, and boots are mandatory; airbag, knee pads, and neck brace are recommended; off-road gloves plus a spare pair.
• Electronics: GPS or smartphone with the tracks, spare cable, power bank, RADAR document. Carry it on the motorcycle, not in the van's duffel bag.
• Emergency: first-aid kit, the organization's number saved in your contacts, zip ties, duct tape, hardware for your motorcycle, and a master link if the chain requires one.
• Rain and cold: the 2022 edition ended in heavy rain; add a warm layer for the high-altitude mornings between Cascia and Castel di Sangro.
• Spare parts: brake and clutch levers, fuses, bulbs if the motorcycle is not LED, air filter if it can be replaced by hand.
• Documents: driver's license, registration document, insurance, FMI membership card, health card, pass and wristband collected at the desk.

Accessories that solve the real problems of an adventouring event

Not a shopping list: the concrete problems posed by Transitalia, and what solves them. We mention only products available in the Endurrad catalog; model compatibility is listed on the product page.

The day's cargo goes low, on the engine guards

Rain gear, water, inner tubes, and tire repair kits belong low down, close to the center of gravity. The 6-liter Wanderer crash bar bags made of waterproof TPU mount on the bars and leave the tail clear; all options are in the engine guard and crash bar bags collection. Before loading them, read how to protect and make the most of engine guards.

Levers, engine, radiator, and headlight are the parts that break

The catalog includes crash bars and engine guards, Barkbusters handguards and other adventure motorcycle handguards, radiator guards, and headlight guards. Because the radiator matters more than it may seem: motorcycle radiator protection: is it really necessary?

A GPS that vibrates or shuts off is worth less than a paper map

Model-specific GPS navigation mounts attach to the crossbar above the instrument panel; for smartphones, there are anti-vibration phone holders. If you still need to choose your device, start with GPS and CarPlay navigators.

More light on back roads, with the right supports

As the light fades, a wider beam helps you read curves and terrain. Auxiliary motorcycle lights should be mounted on supports anchored to the motorcycle, not on collars that rotate with vibrations: we discuss this in where auxiliary lights should really be mounted.

You can experience the Transitalia without a race number

Three ways: visit the Transitalia Expo at Piazzale Fellini from September 25 to 27, attend the start on the morning of Monday, September 28, in Rimini - both with free admission - and follow the participants live with the WHIP tracking system for the 2026 edition, accessible from the official website.

After Termoli, you need to arrange your return

The journey ends in Termoli, not Rimini, and the luggage vans do not return anything to the starting point. Anyone who left a van or trailer in Rimini must make their own arrangements. The organizers report an external motorcycle and passenger return service from Termoli, provided by X-Bivouac, costing €220 plus VAT, activated with at least 12 requests, and a partner parking facility for vans and trailers in Santarcangelo di Romagna.

Frequently asked questions about the Transitalia Marathon 2026

When does the Transitalia Marathon 2026 take place?

From September 25 to October 1, 2026: Transitalia Expo in Rimini from September 25 to 27, driving stages from September 28 to October 1.

Where does the Transitalia Marathon 2026 start?

From Piazzale Fellini in Rimini, on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the Transitalia Marathon 2026 finish?

In Termoli, in Molise, on Thursday, October 1, 2026. It is the farthest south the event has ever reached.

What are the stages?

Four: Rimini-Città di Castello on September 28, Città di Castello-Cascia on September 29, Cascia-Castel di Sangro on September 30, and Castel di Sangro-Termoli on October 1.

How many kilometers is it?

The regulations indicate a total route of more than 1,000 km. The mileage of individual stages is not published and may vary due to unforeseen detours.

Is the Transitalia Marathon a race?

No. It is a non-competitive event, with no timing, set time limits, or rankings, held on roads open to traffic and in compliance with the Italian Highway Code.

Which motorcycles can participate?

Maxi-enduro and modern rally bikes (categories A2 and S1), motorcycles manufactured up to 1992 (A1), and road motorcycles in the C1 Concept category. The motorcycle must weigh more than 140 kg and comply with the Italian Highway Code.

Are specialist enduro bikes allowed?

No. The regulations exclude specialist enduro bikes, quads, and motorcycles with test plates.

How much does registration cost?

€1,030 with a roadbook, €980 without a roadbook, €890 for a passenger in the C1 category. The FMI card, hotel, fuel, and lunches are not included.

Is an FMI card required?

Yes, an FMI card for the current year is mandatory for everyone, including passengers, in addition to a valid motorcycle license.

Can two people participate?

Yes, but only in the C1 Concept category. With a passenger and road tires, the Road track is mandatory.

How does navigation work?

For each stage, there are three GPX tracks to choose from: Complex (full off-road), Plain (light off-road), and Road (secondary paved roads). The tracks are sent by email a few days before departure.

Is a roadbook required?

No, it is optional and costs €50 extra. It is provided only to those who have a roadbook holder and trip master installed on the motorcycle.

Which tires are required?

A knobby tire such as the Metzeler Karoo 4 is required for the off-road tracks. Those riding only the Road track can use road tires.

Can hard luggage be used?

On the motorcycle, yes, but for transport in a van, the organizers request a single soft bag and advise against hard luggage, for which they accept no responsibility in the event of damage.

What must you bring?

Two inner tubes, a tubeless repair kit if using tubeless tires, the tools specific to your motorcycle, and technical riding gear with boots, protective equipment, and a helmet.

Can you still register for the 2026 edition?

No: registration opens on January 28, payment is due by June 30, and places can be transferred by August 30. For 2027, it is best to follow the official channels starting in January.

What is Transitalia Expo and when is it held?

It is the open-air motorcycle travel show held before the start, now in its fifth edition: September 25-27, 2026 in Rimini, between Piazzale Fellini, Lungomare Tintori, and Rotonda Lucio Battisti, with free admission and demo rides from manufacturers.

Which motorcycle is leading the Transitalia Marathon 2026?

Morbidelli, confirmed as the Official Lead Motorcycle together with the Rally Team Azzurrorosa. Ducati is officially present with Product Genius representatives and riders on the Complex track.

How can you follow the Transitalia Marathon remotely?

With real-time WHIP tracking dedicated to the 2026 edition, linked from the official website.