"Stage 19 will remind us of the feats of Marco Pantani" – Vincenzo Nibali excited by Giro route reveal and hopes for Vingegaard–Del Toro Maglia Rosa duel

Vincenzo Nibali has never been shy about what makes the Giro d’Italia special, but for the Italian Grand Tour icon, the 2026 route unveiling has clearly stirred something deeper.

Speaking to Tutto Bici Web, the two-time Giro winner said the new design sets up a decisive final week and even carries echoes of Marco Pantani — especially Stage 19 to Alleghe, which he believes has the potential to reshape the entire race.

Nibali also hopes the next edition delivers a generational showdown between Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard and rising UAE Team Emirates - XRG star Isaac Del Toro, a battle he feels Italian roads — and this parcours — are perfectly built for.

Straight to the point, Nibali highlighted how the third week is loaded with mountain terrain capable of deciding everything. “The route, as always, is very good and in the final week there will be some very important summit finishes.”

That crescendo, he emphasised, revolves around two back-to-back mountain days: Alleghe on Stage 19, followed by Piancavallo.

“It will be a crescendo of great emotions with the finish in Alleghe, which could make the difference. But if I have to give an opinion, the stage from Gemona del Friuli to Piancavallo will remind us of the feats of Marco Pantani and could shake up the standings. That will be a day where the GC riders will have to play every card they have.”

Nibali also singled out Aosta–Pila — a huge 4,000-metre climbing day — as another flashpoint where teams rather than individuals may determine who survives. “Aosta–Pila has 4000 metres of climbing and it will be important to have the team close. There will be explosive stages where there will be major selection.”

Nibali, one of only seven riders in history to win all three Grand Tours, admitted he hopes the Giro plays host to another rider joining that elite club. “Of course Vingegaard is very strong. He has just won the Vuelta and if he were to win the Giro he would certainly add another major result. I’ve read that he wants to come and I hope he really does.”

But it wasn’t just the Dane who caught his imagination. Nibali also spoke enthusiastically about the sport’s newest phenomenon, Isaac Del Toro. “It would also be great to see a young rider like Del Toro, who is showing incredible progression.”

A Vingegaard–Del Toro duel for pink would be the storyline the race organiser dreams of — and Nibali all but endorsed that hope.

Italy’s next generation also received strong encouragement from the Sicilian, starting with Giulio Pellizzari. “There’s Giulio Pellizzari, who has just turned 22. He rides for a big, important team and because of that he could have good opportunities.”

He also believes Antonio Tiberi is poised to rebound after a turbulent year. “He’s had a difficult season and I don’t know what his programme will be, but I think next year he’ll be on the way back.”

And among the more experienced riders, Nibali was keen to highlight Giulio Ciccone — but with a realistic target. “I know Giulio well and he’s a great rider. I know he doesn’t want to aim for the general classification and I think this is the best decision. If he manages to win stages, I’d be really happy for him.”

With Alleghe and Piancavallo poised to define the narrative, and with the possibility of giants like Vingegaard lining up alongside Italy’s next wave of talent, Nibali believes the Corsa Rosa is set for a vintage year.