'Mas was the strongest in the climb… I knew I had to play my game' – Jhonatan Narváez sprints to victory on stage 11 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia

Jhonatan Narváez secured his third stage victory of the 2026 Giro d’Italia on the undulating 195km route from Porcari to Chiavari, prevailing in a tense two-man sprint against Enric Mas. The Ecuadorian rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG capitalised on his superior sprinting ability after Mas had dominated the final climb, maintaining his composure to hold off the Spaniard’s late challenge. Despite Mas’s strong showing and aggressive tactics on the ascent, Narváez’s tactical acumen and sprint finish proved decisive in the closing metres. The stage was marked by a high pace from the outset, with riders averaging speeds of 50km/h early on before the breakaway took control in the latter part of the race. The route featured several stiff hills but no major mountains, with the key moment coming on the final 4km climb to Colla Dei Scioli, where Mas earned bonus points and attempted to shake off his rivals. Crashes affected some breakaway riders, including Filippo Ganna and Lennert Van Eetvelt, disrupting their chances and allowing Narváez and Mas to emerge as the leading duo. Narváez reflected on the race with insight into his strategy, acknowledging Mas’s climbing strength and emphasising the importance of playing to his own strengths. He described the intense nature of the stage, highlighting the need to defend himself on the climbs and rely on his sprint finish. His victory underlined the value of adaptability and tactical awareness in stage racing, especially when facing a rival with complementary strengths. In the general classification, Afonso Eulálio retained the Maglia Rosa, maintaining a 27-second lead over Jonas Vingegaard, who was unable to capitalise on the previous day’s time trial. Eulálio’s consistent performance keeps him in control of the race, while Vingegaard remains poised to challenge in the coming stages. The race now heads into a critical phase where team strategies and individual form will play pivotal roles in shaping the overall standings.