"I won't be sure until I see him there": Giro director doubts Vingegaard's participation in the 2026 Giro d'Italia

The news of today has been the official presentation of the 2026 Giro d'Italia route. After the 21 stages were unveiled, everyone agrees that the edition is going to be very hilly and with a big role for the men in the general classification. Will 49,000 meters of elevation gain convince Jonas Vingegaard to make his debut?

It has been rumored for weeks that the Visma | Lease a Bike leader is exploring ways to include the Giro in his plans for next season. He even said himself that he would love to. However, there is nothing official. And when Mauro Vegni, already a former Giro director, was asked at the presentation about the Dane's presence, he revealed that nothing is yet confirmed, or even close to being confirmed.

"All this information and news is circulating in foreign newspapers and media, but I won't be sure until I see him at the start. This year it also seemed almost a done deal for Vingegaard, but in the end he didn't show up, so I would wait to put together the start list," Vegni began by reminiscing the past edition.

"I think it's an ambition for all great cyclists to be able to include all three Grand Tours in their palmarès. He's only missing the Giro d'Italia, and I think it's a great opportunity for him to be in this Giro," he added about the fact that Jonas Vingegaard has already won the Tour de France twice (2022 and 2023) and the Vuelta a España once (2025).

Mauro Vegni's latest contribution to the Giro d'Italia was this announced 2026 route. His take on the edition, which augurs a great competition from start to finish, was as follows:

"This year we have designed a more modern Giro, with shorter but demanding stages for the general classification riders, alternating with equally medium-long stages for those looking to settle in the general classification," he explained. Explore the parcours of the 2026 Giro d'Italia.

"We have seven stages with uphill finishes, seven sprint finishes and one time trial, but much longer than the previous ones; all in all, it represents a modern Giro."

"I am calm because this time I have also done my job. It's my last creation, but there will be others after me, so I'm calm. It's a beautiful Giro; let's hope the riders honor it in some way," he concluded.