'At first, I was a bit annoyed that I couldn't follow' – Felix Gall paces Blockhaus to perfection to emerge as Jonas Vingegaard's closest Giro d'Italia contender

Felix Gall emerged as the closest challenger to Jonas Vingegaard on stage 7 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, finishing just 13 seconds behind the Danish leader atop the grueling Blockhaus climb. While Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease a Bike team controlled much of the ascent and the race leader launched a decisive attack 5.5 kilometres from the summit, Gall paced himself carefully and ultimately closed the gap in the final kilometres. This performance marked Gall as a serious contender for the general classification, sitting third overall and only 17 seconds behind Vingegaard after the first major summit finish. Gall acknowledged that he initially struggled to match Vingegaard’s explosive move, admitting some frustration at not being able to follow immediately. However, he recognised that maintaining his own rhythm was the smarter strategy, allowing him to overtake a fading Giulio Pellizzari and reduce the deficit to the race leader by the line. His measured approach contrasted with the early aggression of others and demonstrated his climbing prowess, especially given the challenging conditions of crosswinds and exposed slopes on the Abruzzo mountain. Gall credited his teammate Gregor Mühlberger for shielding him from the wind, highlighting the importance of team support on such demanding terrain. Despite his strong climbing form, Gall is realistic about the challenges ahead, particularly the upcoming 42-kilometre individual time trial in Tuscany, where Vingegaard’s superior ability is expected to widen gaps. Gall also acknowledged that descending remains a relative weakness, potentially leaving him vulnerable to attacks from rivals on technical sections. Nonetheless, his performance on Blockhaus positions him well for the mountainous stages to come, especially in the Dolomites during the race’s third week, where he could consolidate one of his best Grand Tour results. Gall’s rise at the Giro follows a steady progression in his career, including a top-five finish at the Tour de France and a queen stage win at the 2023 Tour de France. Reflecting on his debut at the Giro in 2022, when he struggled on the same climb, Gall expressed satisfaction at his improvement and the strong team effort that supported him throughout the stage. While he remains modest about his chances against a rider of Vingegaard’s calibre, Gall’s climbing form and tactical maturity have established him as a key figure in the battle for the pink jersey this year.