“A lesson to learn” - Movistar’s Lorenzo Milesi explains baffling Giro time trial gilet error
Cycling
The 2026 Giro d’Italia time trial produced one of the most striking images of the season. And, paradoxically, also one of the most commendable performances for the Movistar Team. Lorenzo Milesi finished ninth in the long individual test, banked 30 valuable UCI points for the Spanish squad, and confirmed the excellent form he has shown throughout the race.
All of that came after riding virtually the entire stage with a thermal training vest on by mistake, a situation as incredible as it is damaging from an aerodynamic standpoint. While many fans and commentators tried to work out what exactly the Italian was wearing over his skinsuit, Milesi revealed after the stage that he had simply forgotten to take the kit off before the start.
“I forgot to take off the thermal jacket for the ice bath,” he explained with a mix of laughter and resignation. “Once I’d already started, I couldn’t get it off.”
The scene bordered on the surreal. In a discipline where teams pour huge sums into wind tunnels, specific helmets, optimized fabrics, and meticulous aero studies, one of the best riders of the day completed the entire TT with a completely anti-aerodynamic layer flapping over his body. And still he finished in the top ten.
An incomprehensible error in a discipline obsessed with detail
The episode leaves Movistar Team’s organizational image badly dented. In a time trial at this level, it seems almost unthinkable that neither the rider nor staff spotted the issue before the start.
Milesi said he realized as soon as the stage got underway, but by then fixing the mistake was impossible. “I realized right at the start, but then it was already too late,” he admitted. “So I told myself: ‘I have to keep the same pace, whatever.’”
Far from crumbling mentally, the Italian stuck to the plan and focused solely on holding his power across the course. It also showed impressive mental strength, refusing to lose concentration after such an absurd setback.
The vest’s aerodynamic impact was obvious. On a dead-flat, fast, steady-power TT, any small disruption to position or airflow can cost precious seconds. Even more so on a long, monotonous route like this Giro’s - making Milesi’s ninth place all the more impressive.
A talent still on the rise
The Italian had already shown good signs in the opening days, but this ride definitively confirms his progression as one of the most interesting riders within Movistar Team’s block.
And he himself admits the result could have been even better. “Of course it could have been better without it,” he said of the vest. “It’s also a lesson to learn.”
The line neatly sums up the mix of disbelief and resignation that lingered within the Spanish squad. Beyond the humorous tone of the interview, the reality is that Milesi likely missed an even stronger placing on the stage because of a completely avoidable error.
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Geraint Thomas comparisons
The interview then took a lighter turn when the journalist asked if the vest still had ice after more than half an hour at full tilt. “No, of course not,” he replied, laughing. “You’re sweating.”
That was followed by a comparison with Geraint Thomas, who years ago found himself in a similar situation when he started a TT wearing an extra layer. “I had no idea,” Milesi admitted when reminded. “But I think he’ll be happy that I’ve done it too now.”
The Italian thus turned a potentially humiliating moment into a near-charming anecdote. Yet the story leaves a clear conclusion: even amid organizational chaos, Lorenzo Milesi delivered one of the best performances of his career. And he probably saved Movistar Team’s day, too.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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