'It's just no legs' – Giulio Pellizzari ready to aid Jai Hindley's podium fight after sliding out of Giro d'Italia GC battle

Giulio Pellizzari entered the 2026 Giro d’Italia as Italy’s leading general classification (GC) contender but has since slipped outside the top 20, trailing race leader Jonas Vingegaard by around half an hour. The 22-year-old, who had high hopes following his victory at the Tour of the Alps, has struggled with a lack of energy in recent mountain stages, describing his condition simply as having "no legs." Despite this setback, Pellizzari has shifted his focus to supporting his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammate Jai Hindley, who is currently fourth overall and aiming for a podium finish. Both Pellizzari and Hindley were affected by illness earlier in the race, but Pellizzari’s difficulties have persisted, particularly after the demanding Blockhaus stage. He has acknowledged the challenge without making excuses, emphasising the need to reflect on his performance after the Giro and learn for future seasons. With the toughest mountain stages still to come, Pellizzari is now adopting a more relaxed approach, intent on enjoying the final days of the race while contributing to his team’s overall ambitions. Pellizzari’s commitment to Hindley is clear, as he intends to play a crucial role in the coming decisive stages, especially the queen stage through the Dolomites and the summit finish at Piancavallo. Hindley sits just under a minute behind second place, Felix Gall, and is within striking distance of the podium, making team support vital. Pellizzari expressed confidence in Hindley’s form and the team’s ability to challenge for a top-three finish, while acknowledging Vingegaard’s dominance at the front. Looking ahead, Pellizzari’s focus is on aiding Hindley’s podium bid and regrouping after the Giro to address what went wrong in his own campaign. His honest assessment of his physical state and pragmatic acceptance of his role highlight the resilience required in grand tour racing. With the final mountain stages set to be decisive, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will rely on Pellizzari’s support to bolster Hindley’s chances as the race reaches its climax.