'We only decided to go for it really late' - Switch of plan nets Jonas Vingegaard second stage in three days at Giro d'Italia and 50th career win

Jonas Vingegaard secured his second stage victory in three days at the 2026 Giro d’Italia, further consolidating his position as the race favourite. Riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, Vingegaard claimed the summit finish at Corno delle Scale, marking the 50th win of his career. Despite the late decision to pursue the stage win, the Danish rider demonstrated tactical precision and strength, distancing his rivals and extending his lead in the general classification. The stage unfolded with Vingegaard’s team initially adopting a defensive approach due to the energy expended in previous mountain stages and the loss of Wilco Kelderman through injury. However, when the breakaway’s advantage diminished on the climb, Vingegaard launched a series of well-timed accelerations to control the race. He responded to Felix Gall’s attack with ease before dropping him to cross the line solo, while other contenders, including Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s Giulio Pellizzari, lost significant time. This performance underlined the dominance of Vingegaard and his team in the mountains and the overall race. In his post-stage comments, Vingegaard downplayed speculation about conserving energy for the Tour de France, emphasising his focus on the Giro and taking the race day by day. He acknowledged the significance of reaching 50 career wins but remained grounded, highlighting the collective strength of Visma-Lease a Bike and the promising form of his young Italian teammate Davide Piganzoli, who finished third on the stage. With the time trial looming on Tuesday, Vingegaard is poised to extend his advantage, though he faces stiff competition from specialists like Filippo Ganna. Looking ahead, the 42-kilometre individual time trial along the Tuscan coast presents a critical test for Vingegaard. While the course differs from his last long time trial at the 2022 Tour de France, he is determined to maximise his performance and increase his lead. The Danish rider also reflected on the broader significance of potentially winning the Giro, which would complete his Grand Tour palmarès alongside victories in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, a milestone he described as a dream and a career-defining achievement.