NSN target sprint success at Giro d'Italia with Ethan Vernon and Corbin Strong

NSN Cycling Team has set its sights on sprint success at the 2026 Giro d’Italia, with British sprinter Ethan Vernon aiming for victory in the opening flat stage in Burgas, which also offers the chance to claim the first maglia rosa. Alongside Vernon, puncheur Corbin Strong will target the rolling stage to Veliko Tarnovo, while Alessandro Pinarello looks to animate the race from breakaways. Jan Hirt will lead the team’s general classification ambitions after strong top-ten finishes in recent editions, supported by teammates Jake Stewart, Ryan Mullen, Nick Schultz, and Dion Smith. Vernon faces stiff competition from notable sprinters such as Jonathan Milan, Dylan Groenwegen, and Kaden Groves, but his recent form has been impressive, with wins at the Tour Down Under, Volta a Catalunya, and multiple stages at the Région Pays de la Loire Tour. Strong’s credentials include a fifth-place finish at Milan-San Remo and a close second in the stage three sprint at the Giro d’Italia in Albania, narrowly beaten by Mads Pedersen. Both riders have prepared extensively with altitude training to peak for the race’s early stages. Expressing confidence ahead of the Giro, Vernon highlighted the importance of the first three days for the team’s ambitions, emphasising the motivation that comes with the opportunity to wear the leader’s jersey early on. Strong echoed this optimism, noting the team’s balanced roster of sprinters and climbers and their readiness for a strong collective performance over the three weeks. Pinarello, the sole Italian on the roster, will focus on stage opportunities near his home region and aims to build on a consistent spring campaign that included a victory at O Gran Camiño. Pinarello described the Giro as a special event, particularly as an Italian rider, and noted a different preparation approach this year with a significant block of altitude training. Without pressure to compete for the overall classification, his goal is to seize stage results either from breakaways or reduced group finishes. NSN’s strategy combines targeting early sprint stages while maintaining a competitive presence in the general classification, reflecting a versatile and ambitious approach to the 2026 Giro d’Italia.