“This podium gives me hunger, not anxiety”: Felix Gall reflects on breakthrough Giro as future speculation grows

Felix Gall emerged from the 2026 Giro d’Italia with the strongest Grand Tour performance of his career, finishing second overall behind Jonas Vingegaard. The Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider recorded five runner-up finishes on summit stages, repeatedly proving himself among the race’s strongest climbers without managing to secure a victory. With his contract expiring at the end of the season and links to Lidl-Trek continuing to circulate, Gall now looks ahead determined to build on the biggest achievement of his career.

Gall finished second on the mountain stages to Blockhaus, Corno alle Scale, Pila, Carì and Piancavallo, each time beaten only by eventual overall winner Jonas Vingegaard. The pattern remained remarkably similar throughout the race. Gall repeatedly climbed with the very best, but whenever the decisive acceleration came, Vingegaard found another level.

Despite missing out on stage victories, Gall viewed those performances positively. “I’m proud of how I raced. Finishing second so many times hurts, but it also means that every day I was exactly where I needed to be. Victory didn’t escape me, it was simply hiding a little better than usual,” he told tuttobiciweb.

Gall eventually secured second place in the general classification, finishing 5 minutes and 22 seconds behind Vingegaard while comfortably holding off Jai Hindley, who completed the podium 1 minute and 3 seconds behind the Austrian. It marked the first podium finish of Gall’s seven Grand Tour appearances and confirmed his transformation into a general classification rider.

Since joining AG2R in 2022, Gall has steadily developed into a more complete rider. His time trialling and climbing have improved, and he has gained greater tactical maturity. However, Gall knows there is still one crucial area to improve if he wants to become a true GC contender in the next years.

“Vingegaard was the absolute reference in the mountains. On some finishes I was missing half a change of pace. That’s exactly what I want to work on, because I know the endurance is there and I can maintain my level over three weeks.”

Gall's contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, making him one of the most attractive climbers on the transfer market. Among the teams reportedly interested, Lidl-Trek has frequently been mentioned as a possible destination.

For now, however, Gall insists his focus remains on his current team. “My future? Right now I respect my current team because we achieved a great Giro together. It’s true that my contract is ending and that the transfer market is moving, but I’ll make my decision based on where I can continue to develop as a general classification rider.”

The Austrian hopes the experience gained in Italy will eventually translate into winning performances. “This podium gives me hunger, not anxiety. I’d rather finish second five times than disappear once. But next time, I want to raise my arms. Rome is beautiful when you arrive with a place on the podium, but I know it can be even more beautiful when you arrive wearing the winner’s jersey.”