"I can finally sit upright": Jonathan Milan swaps Tour de France for Giro d'Italia in 2026

Jonathan Milan will not defend his points classification title at the Tour de France this July, with Lidl-Trek confirming a strategic shift for the 2026 season. Despite an excellent performance last year that saw him claim two stages and the Green Jersey, the Italian sprinter is set to prioritize the Giro d'Italia, leaving the Tour leadership role to teammate Mads Pedersen.

The decision marks a significant change for the 25-year-old, who is entering his third season with the team. While conceding his spot at the Tour might seem surprising given his success, Milan views the change as a logical step to balance the team's ambitions and his own targets.

"That is not difficult for me," Milan told IDLProCycling when asked about conceding his Tour spot. "I am in favor of changing the program again. Of course, it would be nice to ride the Tour again, but I am very happy to return to the Giro. There are plenty of opportunities for sprinters there, and we are going with a strong lead-out."

The decision to pivot back to the Corsa Rosa is driven by a unique opportunity. The 2026 Giro d'Italia begins with a historic Grande Partenza in Bulgaria, and the opening stage offers a flat finish that has the Italian dreaming of the ultimate prize.

"After the break, you talk with your coach and set your goals from your own perspective," Milan explained. "I had already seen that there are several nice stages for sprinters in the Giro, including the first one. I would really like to take the Pink Jersey in Bulgaria."

The personnel changes at Lidl-Trek are almost as significant as the schedule shifts. With Jasper Stuyven moving to Soudal-Quick-Step, the team has brought in the towering German, Max Walscheid. Standing at 1.99 meters, Walscheid is one of the few riders in the peloton who can physically overshadow the 1.94-meter Milan.

"I am really happy about that, because he is a very strong guy," Milan laughed. "Behind Simone [Consonni], I always had to stay low, but behind Max, I don’t have to. I can finally sit upright"

Milan emphasized that flexibility remains the train's greatest weapon. "We are deliberately starting early in AlUla to work on the order. I know that Max, but also Simone and Edward Theuns, can all do every role in the lead-out."

Milan’s 2026 calendar is designed to build momentum without the burnout that plagued him previously. He will kick off his season at the AlUla Tour and the UAE Tour, before tackling a heavy spring block: Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem, and Paris-Roubaix.

"Last year I was already somewhat fatigued after Tirreno," he admitted, referencing his struggles on the climbs of the Primavera in 2025. Regarding Milano-San Remo, a race where he struggled on the climbs in 2025, he remains optimistic but realistic. "A lot has changed, but [Milan-San Remo] is a race I love and want to do well in. The Cipressa and the Poggio are ridden a bit differently nowadays than in the past, but we still have to try," he concluded.