“If I can achieve even half of what Vincenzo Nibali did...” – Giulio Pellizzari emulates Italian legend with Tour of the Alps win and turns focus to Giro d’Italia

Giulio Pellizzari’s victory at the Tour of the Alps 2026 was built over five days of controlled aggression and growing authority, culminating in a decisive final-stage attack that secured both the stage win and the overall classification.

Riding for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, Pellizzari arrived as a contender, but leaves as the defining rider of the race, becoming the first Italian winner since Vincenzo Nibali 13 years ago.

Pellizzari’s success was not shaped by a single move, but by consistency across the week. After positioning himself early in the general classification, he seized control with his stage-winning performance on Stage 2, taking the leader’s jersey and placing himself under constant pressure for the remainder of the race.

From that point on, every stage became a test of control. With gaps measured in seconds rather than minutes, the Italian was required to respond to attacks, manage positioning and rely on his team across demanding terrain. “It was a very tough stage from the start,” Pellizzari said in conversation with Cycling Pro Net. “I have to thank my team-mates for the work they did today and over all the previous days.”

That pressure reached its peak on the final stage, where the race exploded on the climb to Montoppio.

After an aggressive opening phase and a strong breakaway that forced early control, the general classification contenders were left to decide the race on the final ascent. Pellizzari made his move with around 20 kilometres remaining, immediately creating separation from his closest rivals. “The final climb suited my characteristics,” he said. “I tried to give everything for them, and we did it.”

The attack proved decisive. While riders such as Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman attempted to respond, the gap held steady, allowing Pellizzari to crest the climb with a crucial advantage.

From there, the race became a test of composure. “Yes, when I attacked and immediately saw a gap open,” Pellizzari said when asked when he realised victory was possible. “Then they stayed at around 10 to 15 seconds, and I thought I just had to go all in and give everything.”

The descent to the finish added another layer of risk. With chasers closing behind, Pellizzari pushed to maintain his advantage, even at the cost of taking risks. “I pushed at the maximum and maybe took a bit too much risk,” he said. “The radio was telling me not to take risks, and I made a few mistakes in some corners, but I had to keep pushing all the way to the finish.”

Beyond the final stage, Pellizzari pointed to both team support and equipment as key factors across the week. “As a team, we’re in a really good place,” he said. “I feel very comfortable with the bike, the tyres and the setup, so it’s an area where we can try to make a difference.”

However, he remained clear that the race was ultimately decided on the climbs, where his strength proved decisive against a tightly matched field.

With the Tour of the Alps victory secured, attention immediately turns to the Giro d’Italia, now just two weeks away. “The Giro is exactly two weeks away,” Pellizzari said. “Now I’ll go to altitude to finish my preparation, then we’ll head to Bulgaria. I know I need to be in my best shape in the third week of the Giro.”

The focus now shifts from one-week success to three-week endurance, but the confidence gained from this performance is clear.

The significance of Pellizzari’s win extends beyond the immediate result. “Yes, it’s strange that it’s been 13 years since an Italian won here,” he said. “I’m happy to have brought it back home, and hopefully it’s a good sign for my career. If I can achieve even half of what Nibali did, that would already be a lot.”

After a week defined by control, resilience and a perfectly timed attack, Pellizzari leaves the Tour of the Alps not just as its winner, but as a rider carrying momentum into the next major objective of his season.