“Everyone in the team is just extremely happy” - Jonas Vingegaard targets Giro d’Italia finale win as Visma ride wave of Sepp Kuss momentum
Cycling
Jonas Vingegaard has made clear that Team Visma | Lease a Bike will not simply ride defensively on the final mountain stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, with the maglia rosa openly admitting he would love to add another stage win before Rome.
Vingegaard starts stage 20 firmly in control of the general classification after a dominant Giro in which he has already taken four stage victories. The final mountain day still carries danger, but also one last opportunity for the Dane to underline his authority before the race reaches its closing procession.
Speaking to Cycling Pro Net before the start, Vingegaard said that the priority remains protecting pink, but Visma are also ready to chase another win if the race allows for it.
“I would love to win today,” Vingegaard previewed with a smile. “Of course, our main goal is to keep the pink jersey today, but obviously we also want to try to go for the stage.”
Visma enter final mountain test after Kuss victory
Visma arrive at stage 20 with momentum after Sepp Kuss won the queen stage to Alleghe, completing his set of Giro, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana stage victories.
Kuss’ win carried extra emotion inside the team. The American has spent much of his career working for others, often as the mountain rider who helps launch Vingegaard or, before him, Primoz Roglic towards Grand Tour success. In Alleghe, he had his own day.
Vingegaard said the reaction within Visma reflected that. “Of course, it is really special when Sepp wins,” he said. “Sepp is a guy who always sacrifices himself for everybody else, and that he is then able to win himself is something that I think everyone in the team is just extremely happy about.”
That victory has only strengthened Visma’s grip on the race. Vingegaard remains in pink, Kuss has added another major win to the team’s Giro, and Davide Piganzoli has continued to provide strong climbing support deep into the final week.
Sepp Kuss crosses the line on stage 19 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia
“It will be a big fight”
Stage 20 is not a free hit for Vingegaard. The Dane has a commanding lead, but the final mountain day is still likely to produce attacks from riders chasing the podium, stage victory, the mountains classification or one last rescue mission before Rome.
Vingegaard acknowledged that Visma will not be able to dictate every part of the day. “We hope, but of course we are not the only ones in the peloton,” he said. “Today is the last real day and I think it will be a big fight, so we just have to try to see if we can control it.”
The balance is clear. Vingegaard does not need another stage win to define this Giro. His maglia rosa lead already does that. But after Kuss’ queen stage success and Visma’s command through the final week, the team still have the chance to finish the mountain racing with one more statement.
Rome is close now. Before that, Vingegaard wants one last fight.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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