Startlist Giro d’Italia 2026 | Riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Joao Almeida, Richard Carapaz, Giulio Pellizzari, Filippo Ganna, Kaden Groves and more

The startlist for the 2026 Giro d’Italia is beginning to take shape as teams reveal the riders expected to line up for the first Grand Tour of the season.

Among the early names are several of the peloton’s most established stage race contenders, including Jonas Vingegaard, Joao Almeida, Richard Carapaz and Jai Hindley, pointing towards a potentially strong battle for the Maglia Rosa.

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 Joao Almeida, supported by a strong climbing group that includes Adam Yates and Jay Vine.

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), Mikel Landa (Soudal - Quick Step) 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.

Elsewhere, the race could see aggressive racing from stage hunters such as Filippo Ganna, Marc Hirschi, Alberto Bettiol and Wout Poels, all of whom have built reputations as dangerous riders in breakaway situations during Grand Tours.

Several younger riders are also included among the names expected to start, including Jan Christen, Antonio Morgado and Thibau Nys, who have all emerged as exciting talents in the peloton in recent seasons.

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.