Speed should dominate the opening 55 km of Stage 3, as the 145 km South Tyrolean route begins with an extended flat section out of Sterzing/Vipiteno-Ratschings/Racines. The race's character changes dramatically at the first-time inclusion of the Untermoi/Antermoia climb. A fast, flowing descent on wide roads leads to the day's major challenge: Furkelpass/Passo Furcia, whose final 4 km feature relentlessly steep, double-digit gradients.

After descending from Furkelpass/Passo Furcia, riders get their first glimpse of the finish in Innichen/San Candido before embarking on a decisive 21 km circuit. The circuit's main obstacle, Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco, packs a serious punch over its 5 km length. From its summit, roughly 11 km from the finish, the route traces a twisting path along the ridgeline before plunging down a technical descent into Innichen/San Candido, in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites/3 Cime Dolomiti area.

The descent ends 2.6 km from the finish line, followed by a flat section until reaching the town. The last 1.5 km wind through the historic center, where a pair of cobbled turns lead into the finishing straight.