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Friday, May 29, 2026

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Current racing

• May 8 - 31: Giro d'Italia

Upcoming racing:

• June 1 - 6: Ethias-Tour de Wallone
• June 7: Brussels Cycling Classic
• June 7 - 14: Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
• June 10: Circuit Franco-Belge

Latest completed racing:

• May 28 - 31: Tour of Norway
• May 20 - 24: 4 Jours de Dunkerque
• May 23: Veenendaal - Veenendaal
• May 19: Classique Dunkerque
• May 17: Rund um Köln
• May 16: Tour du Finistère
• May 10: Tro-Bro Léon
• April 26 - May 3: Tour of Turkey
• April 28 - May 3: Tour de Romandie
• May 1: Eschborn-Frankfurt
• April 26: Giro dell'Appennino
• April 23 - 26: Vuelta Asturias
• April 26: Liège-Bastogne-Liège

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Giro d'Italia stage eighteen team reports

We posted the report from stage winner Paul Magnier's Team Soudal Quick-Step with the results.

Here's the Giro stage eighteen report from GC leader Jonas Vingegaard's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:

Team Visma | Lease a Bike successfully passed its final test ahead of the demanding final weekend of the Giro d’Italia. Leader Jonas Vingegaard stayed alert when the peloton split on the Muro di Ca' del Poggio. Stage victory went to Paul Magnier.

The Giro d’Italia is gradually approaching its conclusion. Today’s stage was still considered relatively calm before the race heads into the high mountains. The riders started in Fai della Paganella, with the finish awaiting after 171 kilometers in Pieve di Soligo. The steep Muro di Ca' del Poggio proved decisive in the finale.

Jonas Vingegaard on the Muro di Ca' del Poggio. Sirotti photo

During the opening phase over rolling roads, the peloton kept a close eye on a breakaway of four riders. The last remaining escapee was only caught at the foot of the Muro di Ca' del Poggio. Vingegaard was always well positioned, while Sepp Kuss made sure an attack from Afonso Eulálio was neutralised. A large group then headed towards the finish, where Magnier proved to be the fastest in the sprint.

“The Muro di Ca' del Poggio was tough,” Vingegaard said afterwards. “Eulálio launched a strong acceleration. We expected the GC riders to make moves on that climb, so we were prepared for everything. Our main goal today was to reach the finish safely. We never really thought about the stage victory. There was little opportunity to save energy today, but we are really looking forward to the next two mountain stages.”

Here's the Giro stage eighteen report from Best Young Rider category leader Afosno Eulalio's Team Bahrain Victorious:

Edoardo Zambanini sprinted to second place on Stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia, giving Team Bahrain Victorious another strong result after a fast and selective finale into Pieve di Soligo.

The 171km stage from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo was a day with very little flat road, especially in the first part, where the race was fast and difficult to control. After a chaotic opening hour, a small breakaway was allowed to go, but the peloton kept the gap under control and brought the move back with around 25km to go.

From there, the final part of the stage became more intense. After Valdobbiadene, the riders faced a series of short climbs, including Combai, Tarzo and Ca’ del Poggio, the last one coming inside the final 10km. Ca’ del Poggio gave the attackers one final chance to open the race, but the group came back together before the run into Pieve di Soligo.

Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) took the stage victory, with Zambanini finishing second and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) completing the podium.

Leader of the Young Rider category Afonso Eulalio on the Ca' del Poggio. Sirotti photo

For Zambanini, it was a strong performance close to home and another sign of his progression in the final part of the Giro. After a difficult start to the race, the Italian used a finale he knew well, staying with the reduced group over Ca’ del Poggio before sprinting to second place.

Edoardo said this after the stage:
“Today was a nice stage for me. I was looking forward to it, and also yesterday we were in my area, so I think having my friends and my parents there gave me a bit more energy for this last part of the Giro.

"It was a Giro that didn’t start very well for me because, after the crash, I had some problems. But day by day, with the help of the team, we fixed everything. We are really supported by everyone, and I have to thank all the team and all the staff for that. They give us 100% every day, so I try every day to give back 100%."The start today was really chaotic and demanding because the first part was all up and down, and the first hour was really fast. Then the peloton started to control the race and let just a few riders go in the breakaway. For me, that was good, so I decided to play my cards in the finale.

"I know I have a good sprint if we arrive in a reduced group, and I also knew the finale because I have done Ca’ del Poggio many times. It is an explosive finale that really suits me, so I tried to give everything. The victory was close, but Magnier is one of the strongest sprinters in the world, and he has shown that also in this Giro. So I am happy with this second place, and I hope the victory will come soon.”

Franco Pellizotti added:
“We are very happy and proud of Edo, not only for the result, but also for the way he approached the finale. He fought for position before the sprint, and we knew that in this type of finish, with riders like Magnier, Milan and the other fast guys, it would be difficult to win. But he did a very strong sprint and in the end he is happy with second place, and so are we. When you finish second in a Grand Tour stage, it is always something to take positively.

“We are also happy because we are there every day with different riders. We always try, and today Edo showed that again.

“About Afonso, of course the crash was not in the plans, and we hope he does not suffer too much in the next days. We approach the final stages not in perfect condition, because crashes are never good, but we are still here, and we will keep fighting until Rome.”

Afonso Eulálio also retained the Maglia Bianca, with post-race medical checks confirming some small abrasions after his crash during the stage.

Afonso Eulálio:
“A crash is never a good thing, and for sure tomorrow I’ll feel more pain, but I don’t think it’s anything serious.

"Today the team rode perfectly. We came back to the bunch calmly and got back into the race. In the final, I felt good legs and tried to take my opportunity.

"Then at the finish, our ‘Zamba’ did a super job to take second place, only losing to the best sprinter in the race. I think the whole team can be happy with today.

"Tomorrow will be a super hard day, but we’ll keep fighting and I’ll do my best.”

There were no major changes in the general classification, with Eulálio in fifth place overall and Damiano Caruso ninth.

The Giro continues tomorrow with Stage 19, one of the key mountain stages of the final week from Feltre to Alleghe.

Here's the stage eighteen report from Ben Turner's Team Netcompany INEOS:

Ben Turner brought Netcompany INEOS home in 11th place after a high octane sprint finale into Pieve di Soligo.

Turner finished just outside the top 10 after a twisty, technical finish won by Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-step) who prevailed after a high-speed run-in to the finish.

Thymen Arensman and Egan Bernal finished in the peloton to retain their overall positions ahead of a crucial final weekend which will decide the general classificaion.

Egan Bernal before the start of stage thirteen. Sirotti photo

The stage had started with a fight to get into the break, but after a small group went clear, the sprinters' teams seemed content to allow five riders a small advantage.

This group were held on a tight leash as a key climb in the final run-in was seen as pivotal for many teams.

Filippo Ganna, Connor Swift and Magnus Sheffield did a good job in positioning Arensman and Bernal before the Muro di Ca' del Poggio to ensure the duo were near the front.

The race split here, with GC riders and puncheurs going clear before a reduced peloton chased back on, with Turner now well-placed to contest the sprint.

The Yorkshireman, who turned 27 today, fought into the fast-paced final, but was unable to find a way through as Magnier prevailed.

And here's the Giro report from Jonathan Milan's Team Lidl-Trek:

Whilst most predictions favoured a puncheur-style rider to take the eighteenth stage, Lidl-Trek had other ambitions, placing their faith in fast man Jonathan Milan. The biggest obstacle for sprint teams to overcome was the Muro di ca’ del Poggio, a brutal, albeit short, wall located 10km from the finish.

Jonny started the climb positioned by his teammates at the very front of the bunch, hanging tough until a late acceleration by race leader Vingegaard. Our Italian rallied, conceding only handful of seconds to the reduced front group, which included Derek Gee-West and Matteo Sobrero.

“It was not an easy day. It was not a 100% bunch sprint day, but we tried to control it from the beginning. The guys did an amazing job and I have to say sorry to them for the fact that I didn't achieve the result that we were looking for. After a big effort like today, they need just this, but yeah, I think we did our best and I think it was my fault to take this last corner in fourth wheel, I think I should have stayed there behind Magnier.” – Jonathan Milan

Jonathan Milan before the start of stage 14. Sirotti photo

With a strong pull from Giulio Ciccone, Jonny’s group rejoined the front of the race, putting a sprint finish back on the menu. The Lidl-Trek sprinter surfed wheels at the front of the bunch through the technical final kilometres, launching his sprint from fourth position. He crossed the line in third, behind Magnier and Zambanini.

One last chance remains for the sprinters: Rome.