"It's been on my mind for a few weeks": Diego Pablo Sevilla enjoys a well-earned 'King of Mountains' jersey at the Giro
Cycling
The opening stage of 2026 Giro d'Italia was a massive success for Polti VisitMalta. The Italian ProTeam was among the recipients of a wild card to this year's edition and as such, tradition commands to enter the first breakaway. And this year, a 30-year-old Spaniard Diego Pablo Sevilla was entrusted the privilege. Going up the road alongside fellow Italian ProTeam rider Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber), it quickly became clear the wearer of first mountain's jersey of this Giro will be decided among the two adventurers.
And to everyone's delight, Sevilla proved to have much better turn of speed than Tarozzi on both 4th category mountain sprints, comfortably securing a lead in the mountain classification with six points to his name.
"I think it's been on my mind for a few weeks now," he said in an interview afterwards about his decision to join the breakaway. "I knew that it was a good opportunity to achieve it, and that's how it turned out. In the end, it was an easy breakaway; there were only two of us. I just had to keep an eye on Tarozzi and I know him quite well."
Sevilla had won the mountain classification at Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this spring, but today's result might be the biggest success of his career. "I'm a veteran rider... I'm over 30, but I haven't achieved many results in my career to be honest. I think being on the podium at the Giro d'Italia is something big, it's not something common, it's not normal, so I'm very happy, and we're going to enjoy it."
Will it be a long stay?
The second stage with three 3rd category climbs (5 points awarded for crossing the top first) will be a whole another beast. For Sevilla, it won't be easy to continue his stay in Maglia Azzurra - although his goal is already completed. But if he can hang on to his lead tomorrow, then there is a chance he can continue wearing blue until Blockhaus summit finish on stage 7.
"For that we have to go in tomorrow and win. So let's see if there's much of a fight tomorrow; if not, I'll definitely try. But, as I said, we have to take it one day at a time. For now, we have it; nobody can take that away from us. Let's enjoy it and see how long I can hold on to it."
Underlining the successful day for Polti VisitMalta was Giovanni Lonardi who emerged in a sixth place out of a crash-marred sprint in Burgas.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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