"It's incredible what the guys are doing" - UAE Team Emirates - XRG boss Gianetti hails fourth Giro d'Italia stage win

UAE Team Emirates - XRG CEO Mauro Gianetti has heaped praise on his riders following a fourth stage victory at the 2026 Giro d'Italia. After three stages, the race seemed to be a disaster for the team after losing three riders in a nightmare Grande Partenza.

But eight stages later on Wednesday, the Swiss native cut a celebratory figure as he reacted to Jhonatan Narváez taking his win on stage 11 of the race - following stage 4 honours and Igor Arrieta's win on stage 5.

"It's incredible what the guys are doing after the crashes of the three riders in Bulgaria," Gianetti praised his team following crashes saw team leader Adam Yates along with Jay Vine and Marc Soler abandon Corsa Rosa.

With general classification plans torn up, a team initially of domestiques turned to stage victories as they ruthlessly targeted breakaway wins in the absence of a team leader.

"They already changed their minds and said "okay we don't need to give up, we have an opportunity. We have an opportunity to take our chance as we are not here anymore with a leader'".

Gianetti was quick to credit Narváez who returned to racing at this Giro after over three months on the sidelines after suffering several stable thoracic vertebrae compression fractures at January's Tour Down Under. The 62-year-old credited the Ecuadorian's resilience and mentality.

"Especially Jhonny took a very big chance. He's an example of resilience, good mentality, professionalism and the love for cycling. After his accident he was struggling a lot. It was his goal to be here in the Giro and to show his value."

He added: "This crash in the Tour Down Under, he took an opportunity to be better in the future and to learn something in the life."

With just over half the Giro d'Italia behind them, Gianetti insisted that the team will press on for more stage honours despite already being happy with the performance.

"Of course," Gianetti smiled when asked if more Giro stage wins were possible. "Everybody will work to try to win. But of course we are not alone. We are already so much satisfied with the results we have achieved right now."