How to watch Giro d'Italia 2024: live stream cycling online – Stage 4

We expected the first bunch sprint of the 2024 Giro d'Italia yesterday, but to everyone's surprise Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) went for it, forcing Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers, +46s) to follow suit, and they were just caught by Tim Merlier (Soudal–Quick-Step). Stage 4, a flat, 178km ride from Acqui Terme to Andora, looks very similar, and Pogacar's wildcard act is likely to make the peloton skittish. Here's where to watch Giro d'Italia live streams online for free – from anywhere.

This may be Pogacar's first ever crack at the Giro d'Italia, but he's so menacingly good that if he doesn't ride off in the maglia rosa it'll be a surprise. It's worth remembering, however, that the Slovenian last won a grand tour three years ago, and if there's a formula for beating him, Thomas might just have it. 

Pogacar is prone to the occasional off day, a trait that cost him at each of the past two tours he competed in. Thomas, who's never won La Corsa Rosa in five previous attempts, but came agonizingly close a year ago, when he wore the pink jersey for eight stages but lost it at the death, has a superb team backing him up.

Thymen Arensman and Tobias Foss each have the potential to be stars of tomorrow, so they should prove invaluable to the 37-year-old Welshman, who looks set to retire next year and is looking to make the most of the time he has left.

Both Thomas and Pogacar are planning to race the Tour de France this year too, partly because the 2024 Giro d'Italia route is significantly shorter and less jagged than usual, giving rise to the possibility of a first double since 1998.

Below is our guide to where to watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia – including FREE streams.

Giro d'Italia today: Stage 2

Tadej Pogacar has wasted no time in coming to life at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. The Slovenian attacked on the final climb of the opening stage, leaving his GC rivals for dust in his attempts for a historic Tour de France - Giro d'Italia double. While it was Jhonatan Narvaez that ended taking the win, Pogacar's third place has already put a good 20 seconds between him and Geraint Thomas.

There's no let up, of course, today at the Giro. Stage 2 is the first true summit finish of the tour, at the top of the storied Santuario di Oropa where Marco Pantani made his heroics in '99. Expect Pogacar to have even more seconds – or perhaps even minutes – over his competition once he crosses the line.

How to watch Giro d'Italia for FREE

One of the best things about the Giro d'Italia is that it's completely FREE to watch in many places around the world. For example:

Australia – SBS on Demand

Italy – Rai Sport 

Belgium – Sporza

If you're from any of the countries listed above but you're abroad right now, don't worry about missing out on that free coverage. All you need to do is subscribe to a VPN to watch a free Giro d'Italia live stream and re-connect to your home streaming coverage.

Unblock any stream with a VPN

If you're keen to watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia but you're away from home and the coverage is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.

Use a VPN to watch Giro d'Italia live streams from anywhere.

NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
We regularly review all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocked every streaming service in testing and it's very straightforward to use. Speed, security and 24/7 support available if you need – it's got it all.

The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price at $3.99 per month, and includes an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. There's also an all-important and there's a 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.

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Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN.

2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location.

3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream – so if you're from Australia, just head to SBS on Demand and watch the cycling as if you were back at home!

How to watch Giro d'Italia 2024: live stream FREE in Australia

As mentioned above, cycling fans in Australia can watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia for free on SBS Viceland. That means you can also live stream coverage on the free-to-use SBS On Demand platform.

Outside Australia? Don't worry if you're out of the country and want to catch that free live stream – just grab a VPN and you can watch the race as if you were back at home on your laptop, mobile or other TV streaming device. 

How to watch a Giro d'Italia live stream in the UK

Live coverage of the 2024 Giro d'Italia comes courtesy of Eurosport and its streaming arm Discovery+ in the UK. 

A subscription costs £6.99 per month, and lets you tune in on a wide range of devices, as well as the Eurosport TV channels. 

If you're an Aussie away from home, use a VPN to watch the Giro d'Italia free on SBS on Demand from abroad.

Watch Giro d'Italia live stream in the US without cable

The demise of GCN+ means it's time to get familiar with B/R Sports on Max, which has replaced the dedicated cycling streamer.

A subscription to B/R Sports on Max costs $9.99 per month on top of Max. However, for a limited time only, it's available to use for FREE, so long as you already subscribe to Max.

There are three Max price points: $9.99 a month with commercials, the $15.99 commercial-free subscription – both offering HD video quality – and the Ultimate Ad-Free plan, which at $19.99 provides 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos audio, and the ability to download up to 100 titles to watch offline.

There’s also the option to save up to 45% when you subscribe to an annual plan. That’s $70 for the ad-supported plan, $105 for the ad-free option, or $140 to go all-in with the Ultimate Ad-Free plan. Either way, when you go annual you essentially bag yourself two months’ worth of free streaming.

Watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia: live stream cycling in Canada

FloBikes is the place to watch live Giro d'Italia coverage in Canada.

A subscription costs US$150 per year (roughly CA$190), which works out at US$12.50 per month (roughly CA$16).

If you're an Aussie away from home, use a VPN to watch the Giro d'Italia free on SBS on Demand from abroad.

2024 Giro d'Italia schedule and start times

(All times BST)

• Stage 1 – Venaria Reale to Torino (136km) | Won by Jhonatan Narvaez
• Stage 2 – San Francesco al Campo to Santuario di Oropa (150km) | Won by Tadej Pogačar
• Stage 3 – Novara to Fossano (165km) | Won by Tim Merlier
• Stage 4 – Tue 07/05 - Acqui Terme to Andora (187km) | 11.30am
• Stage 5 – Wed 08/05 - Genova to Lucca (176km) | 11.45am
• Stage 6 – Thu 09/05 - Viareggio to Rapolano Terme (177km) | 11.45am
• Stage 7 (ITT) – Fri 10/05 - Foligno to Perugia (37.2km) | 12pm
• Stage 8 – Sat 11/05 - Spoleto to Prati di Tivo (153km) | 11.30am
• Stage 9 – Sun 12/05 - Avezzano to Napoli (206km) | 11am
• Rest: Mon 13/05
• Stage 10 – Tue 14/05 - Pompei to Cusano Mutri (141km) | 12.05pm
• Stage 11 – Wed 15/05 - Foiano di Val Fortore to Francavilla al Mare (203km) | 11.05am
• Stage 12 –  Thu 16/05 - Martinsicuro to Fano (183km) | 11.25am
• Stage 13 – Fri 17/05 - Riccione to Cento (179km) | 12pm
• Stage 14 (ITT) – Sat 18/05 - Castiglione delle Stiviere to Desenzano del Garda (31km) | 12.20pm
• Stage 15 – Sun 19/05 - Manerba del Garda to Livigno (220km) | 9.25am
• Rest: Mon 20/05
• Stage 16 – Tue 21/05 - Livigno to Santa Cristina Valgardena (202km) | 10.25am
• Stage 17 – Wed 22/05 - Selva di Val Gardena to Passo del Brocon (154km) | 11.25am
• Stage 18 – Thu 23/05 - Fiera di Primiero to Padova (166km) | 12.05pm
• Stage 19 – Fri 24/05 - Mortegliano to Sappada (154km) | 12.05pm
• Stage 20 – Sat 25/05 - Alpago to Bassano del Grappa (175km) | 10.40am
• Stage 21 – Sun 26/05 - Rome to Rome (126km) | 2.30pm