'Blockhaus is a climb where you cannot hide' – Jonas Vingegaard stays ominously calm as first 'real' mountaintop finish at Giro d'Italia looms large

Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike is poised to make a significant impact at the 2026 Giro d’Italia as the race approaches its first genuine mountaintop finish on stage seven at Blockhaus. After six stages, Vingegaard has remained relatively reserved, launching only one attack which ultimately failed to gain ground. However, the Blockhaus climb, with its demanding 13.6-kilometre length and steep 8.4% average gradient, offers a stark contrast to earlier, shorter ascents and is expected to be a decisive battleground where general classification contenders cannot afford to hold back. Despite the early lead of Afonso Eulálio from Bahrain Victorious, who currently holds the pink jersey with a substantial 6:22 advantage, Vingegaard and his team are clear favourites to assert control on the Blockhaus stage. Vingegaard himself acknowledged the challenge of unseating Eulálio immediately but expressed confidence that the mountain finish would be a critical moment for the race favourites to make their move. Visma-Lease a Bike’s Directeur Sportif, Marc Reef, highlighted the importance of this stage as the first real opportunity to create meaningful gaps in the overall standings, noting the climb’s steepness plays to Vingegaard’s strengths as a lightweight climber. Preparation for the Blockhaus stage has been thorough, albeit without a physical reconnaissance of the climb by Vingegaard. Instead, the team has relied on data and video analysis from previous editions of the Giro, as well as virtual tools, to equip the rider with the necessary knowledge. Reef emphasised that the team is well-prepared despite the logistical challenges, and the limited number of mountain stages in the early part of the race places even greater emphasis on the Blockhaus finish as a pivotal moment. The second week offers only one other significant mountain test before the decisive third week, increasing the stakes for Vingegaard to make an early statement. There is a sense of calm confidence surrounding Vingegaard, who has a history of bold early attacks in Grand Tours, such as his notable moves at the 2023 Tour de France and the 2025 Vuelta a España. His measured approach ahead of Blockhaus suggests a rider ready to strike decisively when the moment comes. Meanwhile, Reef remains cautious about Eulálio’s ability to defend the pink jersey on the climb but anticipates the Portuguese rider will hold on for at least another stage. The upcoming mountain finish promises to be a thrilling test of strength and strategy, with Vingegaard expected to be at the forefront of the action.