Egan Bernal could be Jonas Vingegaard’s closest challenger at the Giro d’Italia. 📸 SWpix.

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The 2026 Giro d’Italia gets underway in just under two weeks, with a star-studded field heading to Nessebar, Bulgaria, for the Grande Partenza on May 8.

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) will start as the undisputed favourite, while Giulio Pellizzari, João Almeida, Derek Gee and several other GC contenders will aim to push the Danish rider all the way.

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Ineos Grenadiers are set to start the race with a dual leadership challenge, featuring former winner Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman, with Filippo Ganna also taking part. 

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Sources close to the team have indicated that the British squad will field an experienced line-up to support their leaders, and we’ve learned the team’s initial roster. There is still time for last-minute changes, of course, but as things stand, this appears to be the probable team. In this feature, we analyse each rider and their roles for the race.

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The Colombian put in a solid second place at the recent Tour of the Alps, demonstrating that he’s on his way back following a short period on the sidelines. Another impressive ride at Liège–Bastogne–Liège at the weekend ended with fifth place – his best result in a Monument since 2019 – and all the signs are that Bernal can challenge for the podium in the Giro d’Italia.

The TT will certainly hamper his prospects; even at his peak, he would have shipped at least two minutes to the best riders, but the mountainous third week and a solid team around him should strengthen his podium challenge. The main concern is the lack of racing Bernal has enjoyed this spring, with just one stage race under his belt. Perhaps that’ll mean he can build himself the race, but that missing base could also leave him on shaky foundations. Still, Bernal cannot be written off. His trajectory over the last 18 months has been trending towards a more sustained challenge in a Grand Tour, and while he’s not on the same level as Vingegaard and a couple of other GC candidates, Bernal is experienced and has demonstrated he can dig in, even when he’s not among the front-runners. If the race opens up for him, a podium finish is certainly possible.