The Amazing Race returns tonight on CBS with an action-packed leg through Naples, Italy. Below is a live-style recap of the episode, capturing every major task, strategic choice, and the final standings.
This leg sends all remaining teams to Naples — and for once, every team shares the same flight. Alyssa & Josiah arrive at the airport carrying the Express Pass they won on the previous leg, but they immediately say they hope to hold onto it rather than use it early. Their plan: save it for a tougher moment down the line.
On arrival in Naples, teams must catch taxis to Castel Sant’Elmo. From there they buy tickets for the funicular to ascend to the hilltop and search for their next clue. Han & Holden and Jonathan & Ana are first out of their taxis and quickly locate the clue directing them to the Pulcinella statue.
Brett & Mark, Alyssa & Josiah, and Carson & Jack find the Pulcinella clue shortly after. Han & Holden and Jonathan & Ana manage to hop back on the funicular and get a head start, but Brett & Mark ultimately become the first team to find the statue. Carson & Jack and Alyssa & Josiah follow close behind.
At the statue, teams learn their Detour choices: Mandolin or Mozzarella. The Mandolin task calls for assembling the final pieces of a traditional mandolin; the Mozzarella task requires crafting six properly-twisted pulls of fresh mozzarella. The three teams in the early lead all choose Mozzarella, aiming to capitalize on a skill-based challenge rather than instrument assembly.
Even with an early advantage, Jonathan & Ana and Han & Holden struggle to relocate the Pulcinella statue and briefly get lost. Working together at times, both teams manage to find it and pick their Detours: Jonathan & Ana opt for Mandolin while Han & Holden choose Mozzarella.
Brett & Mark make steady progress on their mozzarella task, successfully completing four of the six required twists early on. Jonathan, confident with fine motor tasks thanks to his musical background, makes quick headway on the mandolin assembly. Carson & Jack face a tougher inspection: their mozzarella is checked twice, and only one attempt passes. They regroup and pass all six on the next try. Brett & Mark wrap up soon after and are cleared to continue to the Montesanto Quarter for the next clue.
Jonathan & Ana finish the Mandolin Detour and also head to Montesanto. Alyssa & Josiah complete Mozzarella later, moving them into the next phase of the race. That leaves Han & Holden as the only team still finishing a Detour task, placing them temporarily in last.
At Montesanto Quarter the teams encounter an old-fashioned grocery delivery Road Task: contestants must deliver produce, sausage, and cheese to a balcony using a bucket and rope. Jonathan & Ana arrive first and begin the delivery while Brett & Mark close in behind. Jonathan & Ana reach the halfway point before Brett & Mark even get started.
Carson & Jack and Alyssa & Josiah complete their deliveries next, slotting into third and fourth places. Han & Holden finally finish the Detour and begin the delivery task as well. During the drive, Carson & Jack’s taxi manages to pass Jonathan & Ana, tightening the race for the next checkpoint.
The next destination is Ristorante da Ettore, where teams face a Roadblock: one team member must make a pizza from scratch. Carson and Brett volunteer first and take on the challenge. Jonathan & Ana arrive soon after, with Ana electing to take the Roadblock. Alyssa & Josiah are next and Alyssa steps up. Han & Holden are still finishing deliveries when the others begin the pizza task.
Ana nails the Roadblock on her first try, successfully creating a pizza and earning her team the right to proceed to the Pit Stop at Castel Nuovo. Brett completes his pizza shortly after, keeping Brett & Mark in strong contention. Alyssa completes her pizza as well, while Carson struggles through multiple failed attempts before finally producing an acceptable pie. Han & Holden arrive and Han completes the Roadblock on her first attempt.
At the Pit Stop, Phil Keoghan greets the teams and announces the finishing order. Jonathan & Ana take first place, winning a trip to Mexico City, Mexico — a well-earned prize for their steady performance. Brett & Mark finish second. Alyssa & Josiah follow in third, with Carson & Jack arriving fourth. Han & Holden come in fifth, and Phil delivers a surprise: this leg is a non-elimination round, so no one is sent home.
Episode Summary
1st place: Jonathan & Ana
2nd place: Brett & Mark
3rd place: Alyssa & Josiah
4th place: Carson & Jack
5th place: Han & Holden
Eliminated: No one
That concludes tonight’s installment of The Amazing Race from Naples. Teams navigated local transportation, completed artisan food and craft challenges, and faced a tense pizza Roadblock before reaching the historic Pit Stop. Thanks for reading this recap — check back next week for another updates and live-style recap of the next leg.