The time of the Grand Tours is finally starting again. After the spectacular spring classics, it's time for the general classification riders to ride back into the spotlight of cycling. It starts with the Giro d'Italia in Bulgaria. The first three stages of the Tour of ItalyThe Grand Départ is taking place there this year. But even before the start there were the first cancellations. With the absence of João Almeida, Richard Carapaz and Mikel Landa, three riders are out of the overall classification. The planned captains of the UAE Team Emirates - XRG and EF Education - EasyPost teams in particular are a bitter loss for the racing teams.
The absence of some also creates opportunities for others. Instead of Almeida, Adam Yates is now racing for overall victory and could follow in the footsteps of his brother, who surprisingly won the Giro d'Italia last year and announced the end of his career at the beginning of this year. However, riders from other teams can now also count on realistic chances. These are the favourites to win the Giro d'Italia.
The favourites for the Giro d'Italia 2026
Two-time Tour de France and one-time Vuelta winner Jonas Vingegaard is riding the Giro-Tour double this year. The Dane only needs one more victory at the Tour of Italy to have won all Grand Tours at least once. As is so often the case, you don't hear much about his level of training, Vingegaard is definitely not a man for the limelight. However, his victories at Paris-Nice and the Tour of Catalonia this year show that he is in good form and can live up to his role as favourite even in difficult conditions, such as the long-distance race to Nice. Jonas Vingegaard is the absolute top favourite for the Giro, even more so than before due to Almeida's cancellation.
Close behind is young Giulio Pellizzari, who is waiting for his first top result in a three-week tour. Two sixth places at the Giro and Vuelta 2025 have shown the Italian's potential. At just 22 years old, he still has plenty of time to win a Grand Tour, but Pellizzari has the hunger to do so. He also always rides better in front of his home fans. With two third places at the Tour of Valencia and Tirreno-Adriatico and victory at the Tour of the Alps, he is heading to Bulgaria and then to his home country with great self-confidence. Giulio Pellizzari is the second strongest rider behind Vingegaard, but something extraordinary would have to happen for him to take the overall victory.
The underestimated
Adam Yates has surprisingly taken over as captain following João Almeida's cancellation at short notice. The experienced Brit has already won several one-week tours, but has always slipped into the role of helper in recent years. Due to the abundance of overall class riders in the UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Yates has not been able to take part in Grand Tours himself in the recent past. This is now changing, and his brother Simon Yates, who won the Tour of Italy in 2025 with his decisive attack on the Colle delle Finestre, should serve as a good example. Adam Yates is probably a little underestimated by many, but with his experience he could put a Pellizzari under pressure with clever attacks. But even for him, beating Jonas Vingegaard will be damn difficult. UAE have another option alongside Yates. With Jay Vine, another rider could tackle the overall classification in an emergency.
The Decathlon CMA CGM team also has a rider in the line-up who flies under the radar. For some inexplicable reason, Felix Gall is often not on anyone's radar. Yet he really delivered at the 2025 Tour de France, finishing fifth overall and then riding to an eighth place at the Tour of Spain. In 2026, his results are rather mediocre, a fifth and sixth place in averagely contested tours. But: Gall can be at his best at the right time of the season and has the advantage of being the underdog. Riding at his own pace, he could end up on the podium.
Dangerous dual leadership
In addition to the new name (Netcompany Ineos Cycling Team), Team Ineos has a familiar rider back at the top level. Egan Bernal has found his old mountain legs again in 2026, or so it seems. The former Tour winner had problems getting back on the road to success in the past after a serious accident, but could return to the front pages of the media with a bang at the Giro d'Italia. Whether as a helper or double leader, Thymen Arensman is very valuable to the team. The Dutchman has already finished sixth twice in the Tour of Italy. Should Bernal weaken, the slightly younger rider will be on hand.
Perennial favourite
After a bad crash at last year's Giro d'Italia, Giulio Ciccone wants to put things right in his home country. His ability on the climbs has shone through time and again, and he has already won the mountain jersey at the Giro and Tour. However, he always rode too inconsistently for the overall classification and was never really able to assert himself over three weeks. This year he wants to give it another go and his chances are probably better than ever. There are fewer top riders competing for the overall victory than usual, so Ciccone could surprise here. However, a place on the podium will be very difficult. The Italian will be supported by Derek Gee-West, who can also challenge for the overall classification. Whether there will be a double lead remains to be seen.
Enric Mas and Ben O'Connor have also proven over the last few years that they can ride at the front. However, the current season is going rather badly for both of them. However, the perennial favourites could spring a real surprise. A podium would probably be a real success for both of them.
Leon Weidner
Working student
