Only 113 kilometres, entirely on Swiss soil, had to be completed. They were characterised by the final climb to Carì, where Vingegaard went on the offensive surprisingly early this time. Just seven kilometres before the finish, the 29-year-old left the remaining rivals in the leading group standing before celebrating his fourth stage win in Italy.
"My team-mates and I wanted to win the stage today," explained Vingegaard in the winner's interview. "We wanted to try and win in the pink jersey, even though it could go wrong. We took the first opportunity to do so, because then we would have had another one in case of doubt," he explained the early attack. After quickly opening a gap of one minute, he adjusted his pace.
Red Bull hopeful Pellizzari finally out of the race for the podium
In the overall standings, he is now four minutes ahead of Gall, who, like Thymen Arensman (Netcompany INEOS) and Jai Hindley (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), has now overtaken Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain - Victorious). However, the Portuguese rider defended the jersey of the best young pro, which is mainly due to the fact that Hindley's team-mate Giulio Pellizzari has dropped out of the rankings. The Italian was more than 22 minutes behind the day's winner because he was dropped at the foot of the final climb, which was a good twelve kilometres long.
Meanwhile, the race for the podium places behind Vingegaard remains exciting. Gall, Arensman and Hindley are separated by just 57 seconds, with the Australian in particular pointing upwards. Gall was able to make up a little ground, but no longer looked as confident on the climbs as he did the previous week.
Meanwhile, the battle for the points jersey also came to a head on the mountain stage. Because Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) secured more points at the intermediate sprint, he is now only two points behind Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step). The decision could therefore only be made in the finale in Rome.
Giro d'Italia 2026 - Results of the 16th stage
Stage 16: Bellinzona - Carì
Giro d'Italia 2026: Stage 16, Bellinzona - Carì
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 02:57:40 |
| 2 | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | +000:01:09 |
| 3 | Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe | +000:01:11 |
| 4 | Netcompany INEOS | +000:01:14 |
| 5 | Lidl - Trek | +000:01:18 |
| 6 | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +000:01:34 |
How the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026 went
At 32 degrees at the start in Bellinzona, 157 riders started the third and final week of the Giro. On the relatively flat approach to the first mountain classification, eleven pros around Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl - Trek), Antonio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team) built up a small cushion. However, everything was neutralised again until the first mountain classification (3rd category). Giulio Ciccone (Lidl - Trek) secured the points there and formed a new group with his attack.
A total of twelve riders took part, including Jardi Christiaan van der Lee (EF Education - EasyPost) as Vingegaard's deputy in the mountains jersey and three-time stage winner Narvaez. At the next mountain classification (2nd category), it was once again Ciccone who secured the points and completed the first of two laps in the middle section of the route as a soloist. The Italian was joined on the next kilometres by Narvaez, Ulissi, Einer Rubio (Movistar Team) and Chris Harper (Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team).
While the chasers were dropped on the second lap, Ciccone once again collected the points at the mountain classifications. The leaders went into the final 45 kilometres with a good minute and a half. With 20 kilometres to go, 1:15 minutes remained, Decathlon CMA CGM had taken over the pace work.
Early attack by Vingegaard
The gap continued to shrink until the 12.4 kilometre final climb, and the group also fell apart. Harper was the last breakaway rider to be dropped. The Australian was almost caught at the ten-kilometre mark because Red Bull rode full steam ahead into the day. But then Pellizzari exploded, whereupon the German WorldTeam stopped working completely. For the Italian, however, the battle for the overall standings was over.
One by one, other riders in the classification had to let go. Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and Derek Gee-West (Lidl - Trek) were already seven kilometres from the finish, Eulalio even earlier. And shortly afterwards, Vingegaard went on the offensive. Gall tried to follow, with Hindley and Arensman grouped behind him. His team-mate Egan Bernal and Vingegaard's helper Davide Piganzoli came back.
Five kilometres before the finish, Gall was also back in the larger chasing group, followed a little later by Gee-West. While Vingegaard did his own thing and bagged the next victory, Arensman attacked 1400 metres before the finish. Only Gall and Hindley stayed with him, Gee fought his way back again. Then it was a sprint for the bonus seconds: Gall took second place ahead of Hindley.
