'It'll be just pure happiness' - Jonas Vingegaard one stage away from completing Grand Tour collection with Giro d'Italia victory

Jonas Vingegaard is poised to complete a remarkable milestone in his cycling career by winning the 2026 Giro d’Italia, just one stage away from sealing his place in the history books. After a dominant performance on the fifth stage up to Piancavallo, where he extended his overall lead to over five minutes, Vingegaard is set to ride into Rome wearing the maglia rosa. His near-flawless campaign has seen rivals falter due to crashes, illness, and lost time, allowing the Visma-Lease a Bike leader to control the race with confidence and composure. Vingegaard’s victory at Piancavallo was marked by a powerful attack on the final climb, finishing well ahead of his closest competitor. The stage win was particularly poignant as he wore a memorial jersey to honour the victims of the Friuli earthquake on its 50th anniversary. Despite an early, unplanned attack due to a teammate’s off day, Vingegaard’s strength and tactical nous ensured he held off all challengers. His efforts were supported by his teammates, including a notable mention of domestique Bart Lemmen, highlighting the collective effort behind his success. The Danish rider’s triumph at the Giro will complete his Grand Tour collection, joining an elite group of cyclists who have won the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Giro d’Italia. Already a two-time Tour de France winner and Vuelta champion, Vingegaard expressed deep emotion and anticipation about joining legends such as Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Chris Froome in this exclusive club. He described the prospect of riding through Rome and celebrating with his team and family as a moment of “pure happiness,” underscoring the personal significance of this achievement. Vingegaard’s reflections also revealed the human side of professional cycling, as he spoke about the sacrifices involved, particularly the time spent away from his wife Trine and their daughters. Their presence in Rome for the final stage will provide a poignant conclusion to his nearly four-week journey. Meanwhile, the battle for the white jersey, awarded to the best young rider, ended with Bahrain-Victorious’ Afonso Eulálio defending his lead despite efforts from Visma’s Davide Piganzoli, illustrating the ongoing competitive narratives within the race. With only a relatively short sprint stage remaining, Vingegaard’s victory appears all but certain, setting the stage for a historic finale in Rome. His success not only cements his status as one of cycling’s greats but also adds further prestige to the Visma-Lease a Bike team’s season. As the Giro d’Italia concludes, the cycling world will witness the crowning of a rider who has mastered all three Grand Tours, a feat that few have achieved and one that will resonate for years to come.