Startlist Giro d’Italia 2026 | Riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Filippo Ganna, Giulio Pellizzari, Jonathan Milan and more

The Giro d'Italia is the first Grand Tour of the season and one of the most important races in professional cycling. Throughout 21 days of racing, the World Tour peloton has plenty opportunities to take prestigious wins, with the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Filippo Ganna headlining the 2026 edition. We take a look at its startlist.

Among the early names are several of the peloton’s most established stage race contenders, including Jonas Vingegaard and Giulio Pellizzari who are going to be fighting for the pink jersey. The likes of João Almeida and Mikel Landa have been forced to withdraw from the race, thinning out the GC field.

The Giro d’Italia traditionally attracts a diverse field of GC contenders, stage hunters and sprint specialists, and the first indications suggest the 2026 edition will follow a similar pattern.

Alongside the headline names targeting the general classification, the early lineup also includes several of the sport’s fastest finishers and some of the most aggressive breakaway riders in the peloton.

Recent editions of the Giro have produced some of the most dramatic Grand Tour battles of the modern era. In 2025, Simon Yates secured overall victory after a decisive attack on the Colle delle Finestre during the penultimate stage, overturning the race to take the Maglia Rosa ahead of Isaac del Toro and Richard Carapaz.

The 2024 edition was dominated by Tadej Pogacar, who controlled the race throughout the three weeks to claim the overall title before later going on to complete the Giro Tour double.

A year earlier, Primoz Roglic won the 2023 Giro d’Italia after taking the pink jersey in the final mountain time trial, overturning Geraint Thomas on the penultimate stage.

The race has developed a reputation for late drama in recent seasons, with several editions decided in the final days of competition.

Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) stands out as one of the biggest names currently listed. The Danish rider has established himself as one of the leading Grand Tour contenders of his generation and would immediately become a central figure in the GC battle.

UAE Team Emirates - XRG could also play a major role in the race through Adam Yates and Jay Vine, who should get their own opportunities after the withdrawal of João Almeida.

Former Giro winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education EasyPost) is also among the notable names expected to feature, while Jai Hindley (Red Bull BORA hansgrohe) returns to a race he won in 2022 alongside Giulio Pellizzari.

Other riders capable of influencing the general classification include Ben O’Connor (Team Jayco AlUla) and Enric Mas (Movistar Team).

Jonathan Milan (Lidl Trek) headlines the sprint group, with Dylan Groenewegen, Pascal Ackermann and Kaden Groves among the other riders capable of contesting the fast finishes.

With many of the sport’s biggest names already appearing on the list, the 2026 Giro d’Italia is set to feature a strong field across the general classification and the fight for stage victories.