As it happened: Maglia Ciclamino changes hands again as stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia ends in a sprint
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2026-05-28T15:58:15.412Z
Thanks for joining us today! After a day that was (just about) for the sprinters), to race heads back into the mountains for two back-to-back big climbing tests. The GC race will therefore again come to the fore. Who will win the fight for the podium? Can any climbers get a stage win from the breakaway? And will Jonas Vingegaard be put under any pressure? It’s set to be an exciting couple of days, so be sure to join us tomorrow in the iconic Dolomites for a huge stage of 6 summits and over 5,000m of climbing, including the Cima Coppi of the Passo Giau.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T15:47:20.326Z
That includes Jonas Vingegaard, who rode the final climb on the front foot to ensure he keeps hold of the Maglia Rosa.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T15:42:53.855Z
Though splits did occur on the final climb, big group came together by the finish, with 59 riders – including all of the GC men – finishing together.
2026-05-28T15:38:50.518Z
The late climb made for a thrilling finale, and for a while it looked as though Eulálio might add to what has already been a dream Giro a first stage win.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T15:34:42.181Z
Here are the new Maglia Ciclamino classification:
1 Magnier 195
2 Narváez 158
3 Milan 103
4 Silva 82
5 Leknessund 79
2026-05-28T15:31:57.409Z
Better yet for Magnier, Narváez finished well back in the peloton, so he now retakes the Maglia Ciclamino and is in pole position to win it with another sprint stage to come.
2026-05-28T15:27:38.746Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T15:25:20.078Z
Zambanini took second, Milan third.
2026-05-28T15:24:03.512Z
Stuyven was led out superbly by Stuyven, who positioned him to start his sprint well ahead of Milan.
2026-05-28T15:23:12.438Z
MAGNIER WINS
…and Magnier takes the win!
2026-05-28T15:22:54.900Z
Magnier begins his sprint…
2026-05-28T15:22:39.595Z
Soudal take over at the front for Magnier, but Milan is up there too.
2026-05-28T15:22:16.333Z
Movistar come to the front for a corner, just inside the final km, trying to set up Aular.
2026-05-28T15:21:44.391Z
The catch is made, 1200m from the finish. It looks like we’re going to have a sprint.
2026-05-28T15:21:22.202Z
They’re closing down on the two leaders now.
2026-05-28T15:21:02.501Z
Milan, Magnier and Narváez are all there.
2026-05-28T15:20:46.287Z
It’s a big group that are chasing them, featuring at least 30 riders.
2026-05-28T15:20:09.983Z
Eulálio and Kulset still lead by 8 seconds with just 3km left to the finish.
2026-05-28T15:19:43.901Z
Lidl and Soudal are working, so we assume that their sprinters Milan and Magnier are here.
2026-05-28T15:19:19.236Z
The two chase groups have come together. It’s unclear how many sprinters are in it.
2026-05-28T15:18:54.058Z
A much larger group featuring Narváez is about to join the Vingegaard group.
2026-05-28T15:18:31.211Z
There are 12 riders in the pink jersey group behind the 2 leaders.
2026-05-28T15:18:00.164Z
Eulálio and Kulset have come together, and lead by a few seconds with 5km left to ride.
2026-05-28T15:17:21.247Z
Kulset counter attacks, and has Eulálio following him.
2026-05-28T15:16:52.464Z
That move is shut down by Bernal, working for teammate Arensman.
2026-05-28T15:16:27.207Z
Hindley is in the front group – and he attacks!
2026-05-28T15:16:06.036Z
The chase group are 10 seconds behind.
2026-05-28T15:15:51.518Z
Alessandro Pinarello is leading the front group, working to keep this group clear for his team’s sprinter Strong.
2026-05-28T15:15:14.491Z
Not here are Milan and Narváez, nor Storer.
2026-05-28T15:14:51.364Z
Rondel, Sobrero and Pinarello are also here.
2026-05-28T15:14:30.505Z
Aular is here, as are GC riders Arensman and Gee-West.
2026-05-28T15:14:07.576Z
Among them are Eulalio, Strong and Silva.
2026-05-28T15:13:51.299Z
About 20 riders have gone clear from the rest.
2026-05-28T15:13:30.428Z
KOM – MURO DI CA’ DEL POGGIO
Vingegaard crests the top – and there’s been a gap furhter in the peloton!
2026-05-28T15:12:52.601Z
Kuss is done and now Vingegaard leads.
2026-05-28T15:12:38.478Z
Kuss’ pace has broughtEulálio back.
2026-05-28T15:12:22.786Z
Narváez i actually further behind Milan, and Magnier further behind him.
2026-05-28T15:11:57.757Z
Milan has drifted back a little, but still looking good, 12th from the front.
2026-05-28T15:11:32.022Z
Kuss is setting tempo at the front of the peloton with teammate Vingegaard on his wheel.
2026-05-28T15:11:13.998Z
He must be feeling fine after his crash.
2026-05-28T15:10:59.081Z
He’s got a big lead too, of a few seconds, with nobody following him.
2026-05-28T15:10:38.551Z
ATTACK – EULALIO
The white jersey attacks!
2026-05-28T15:10:09.965Z
Milan is riding right at the front of the peloton.
2026-05-28T15:09:52.971Z
Geens is caught, and the riders are climbing. This is the pivotal moment of the stage!
2026-05-28T15:09:35.595Z
But they’ve faded a little, as Lidl, Rose Rockets and Visma have the prime spots onto the climb.
2026-05-28T15:09:08.786Z
Here come Netcompany Ineos, who take over from Rose Rockets with a charge.
2026-05-28T15:08:42.350Z
Rose Rockets have strung the peloton all out, with four riders, but who are they working for? You’d have thought this climb is too tough for Groenewegen.
2026-05-28T15:07:26.901Z
The race for positions is on Lidl, Rose Rockets, Ineos and Visma all have trains near the front of the peloton.
2026-05-28T15:05:12.602Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T15:03:34.689Z
Gall and Arensman were sniffing around at the front of the peloton for the seconds at the intermediate sprint, but their teammates took them instead.
2026-05-28T15:01:28.298Z
The peloton has slowed a bit, allowing the lead to grow again to 18 seconds.
2026-05-28T14:59:40.102Z
20KM TO GO
Geens isn’t giving up yet, and has grown his lead again to 12 seconds.
2026-05-28T14:59:08.700Z
The catch (aside from Geens, who’s still 10 seconds ahead) has been made before the Red Bull KM, so there are seconds available if anyone can sneak out of the peloton.
2026-05-28T14:57:18.103Z
Geens attacks the others, who have sat up and are back in the peloton.
2026-05-28T14:56:09.706Z
The Giro peloton, as it passes through Prosecco country.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T14:55:15.128Z
And it’s now just 7 seconds. The catch is imminent.
2026-05-28T14:52:55.580Z
All that action has seen the come right down, to 20 seconds.
2026-05-28T14:52:32.761Z
The split has been undone. O’Connor was also caught out, but helped bridge the gap, along with Decathlon who had multiple riders to lead the chase.
2026-05-28T14:51:11.392Z
There are a few sprinters caught out, Van Uden included. And Eulalio has also missed the split, having made it back into the peloton earlier.
2026-05-28T14:49:07.265Z
There’s been a split in the peloton on the descent, about 40/50 riders in the front split.
2026-05-28T14:48:41.143Z
30KM TO GO
The gap’s down to one minute. And that’s going to plummet even more once riders start jostling for position ahead of the final climb.
2026-05-28T14:43:53.886Z
Although UAE are up towards the front in the peloton, it’s been mostly Lidl and NSN doing the work pulling.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T14:41:39.661Z
Magnier must be trying to save as much energy as possible to preserve to take on the final climb.
2026-05-28T14:40:58.173Z
Magnier does not bother to chase Narváez, meaning he’s free to take the point without sprinting.
2026-05-28T14:40:36.437Z
Back in the peloton, Narváez is going for the final point. He’s being led-out by teammate Arrieta.
2026-05-28T14:40:01.521Z
Bais moves to the front to makes sure he takes the points at the intermediate sprint. He’s looking for points in the intermediate sprints classification.
2026-05-28T14:39:10.996Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T14:38:02.839Z
40KM TO GO
The gap’s at 1:12 as we near the intermediate sprint. The break will make it there without getting caught, ensuring most of the Ciclamino points are hoovered up, but there will still be one point to fight over if Magnier and Narváez fancy it.
2026-05-28T14:35:25.121Z
Eulálio is still chasing, but getting closer to the peloton. He’s currently getting checked out by by Drs car.
2026-05-28T14:32:42.355Z
Alternatively, we could have Lidl’s strategy all wrong – could they see the final climb as one for Ciccone to attack on, rather for Milan to survive up? Ciccone is arguably the most explosive puncheur in the race (save for maybe Narváez), and is just about as desperate for a stage win as Milan is.
2026-05-28T14:29:54.538Z
It’s interesting to note that Lidl-Trek have been using Walscheid and Consonni to lead the peloton throughout the day, who they normally save until the final lead-out. They must have deduced that they are unlikely to survive the final climb, and therefore be of no use to Milan come the sprint, and are therefore instead holding back their stronger climbers to help him in the finale.
2026-05-28T14:27:39.306Z
The terrain is trickier from here until the finish. The road really starts to undulate, leading to an intermediate sprint in just under 10km, before a flatter run-in to the final climb.
2026-05-28T14:26:08.182Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T14:24:59.538Z
Eulálio faces a chase to get back into the peloton. He finds himself 1:40 down.
2026-05-28T14:22:55.797Z
In a rare mis-step from what has been a superb Giro for Eulálio, he has gone down heavily in a crash. He’s back up and riding, but that must have hurt.
2026-05-28T14:21:58.976Z
CRASH – EULALIO
The white jersey has gone down.
2026-05-28T14:21:22.084Z
50KM TO GO
Still the gap between the peloton and Bais, Misfud, Straw and Geens remains at about 1:15.
2026-05-28T14:20:34.995Z
It’s the kind of day where it’s of paramount importance to keep cool.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T14:11:28.803Z
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2026-05-28T14:06:10.641Z
60KM TO GO
The gap remains much the same, at 1:10. The peloton aren’t really giving the break a sniff today.
2026-05-28T14:05:30.192Z
Jonas Vingegaard has just changed bikes, as some of his Visma teammates have also. It appears to be a pre-planned move for a different bike set-up.
2026-05-28T14:01:42.406Z
The men’s Giro d’Italia might be nearing its endgame, but the women’s Giro has yet to begin. Saturday sees the first of nine stages, to be raced by a stellar field, and with a great parcours.
From a mountain time trial to the first visit to an iconic climb – Analysing the key stages of the Giro d’Italia Women
2026-05-28T13:55:32.325Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T13:52:19.966Z
70KM TO GO
The gap’s come down due to the work from the three teams, to 1:20.
2026-05-28T13:49:14.053Z
Then of course there is the Maglia Ciclamino, which Narváez intends to defend after reclaiming it yesterday. Ideally, as well as win the stage, he would like for Magnier to be dropped and score no points in that classification.
‘I am not thinking about Rome yet’ – Jhonatan Narváez reclaims ciclamino jersey but ‘great opportunity’ for fourth stage win at Giro d’Italia slips away
2026-05-28T13:46:51.078Z
One dilemma for UAE and Narváez is that they only have five riders left after that horrible first week crash. As strong as their remaining riders are, they don’t have the numbers to control the peloton without burning through too many before the climb, and Narváez will need teammates to both position him and lead-out if he is to plan the perfect attack.
2026-05-28T13:44:28.117Z
There are three teams riding at the front of the peloton – Lidl-Trek, NSN, and, interesting, UAE Team Emirates XRG.
That’s a sign that Narváez wants to go for the stage win, this time from the peloton rather than the breakaway. That final climb looks ideal for him, and his team’s work indicates he’s going to try an attack on it.
2026-05-28T13:40:51.999Z
80KM TO GO
2:10 is the gap, with 80km to go.
2026-05-28T13:39:55.232Z
The four riders in the break of the day. It’s another good day for Polti VisitMalta, who have done sterling work ensuring they’re represented and visible in most of the race’s breaks.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T13:37:45.936Z
The gap has gone up, but not by as much as initially reported. It’s actually at 2:15.
2026-05-28T13:37:22.928Z
NSN are now doing a turn at the front of the peloton on the climb, with Mullen. They might see this as a day for Corbin Strong given his strength on the climbs, though Vernon has also been climbing very well at this Giro and could potentially survivie the climb.
2026-05-28T13:35:26.523Z
KOM – FASTRO
Bais goes clear to take 9 points at the top, followed by Mifsud, Geens and Shaw.
2026-05-28T13:34:42.586Z
The gap is flying up as a result of Lidl-Trek’s slow down, and it’s up to over three minutes as the near the top of the climb.
2026-05-28T13:32:02.019Z
Lidl are still leading, but taking it very easy on this climb.
2026-05-28T13:30:34.178Z
For the first time in a while the riders are going uphill, this time up a classified climb – the 3.2km, 3.9% Fastro.
2026-05-28T13:27:44.315Z
…but remembering what happened in Milan, when another four-man group made up mostly of wildcard teams held off the bunch to take the stage, we’d be foolish to write them off.
2026-05-28T13:27:37.106Z
Considering how breakaway-friendly the parcours today looked, and how many efforts there were to get into it, the group that has finally gone clear is neither as big nor as strong as had been anticipated. It’s odds on that it will be caught…
2026-05-28T13:24:09.216Z
90KM TO GO
The race is in a holding pattern, the gap to the four leaders being kept at 1:15.
2026-05-28T13:23:35.337Z
The break up the road, before they were joined by Geens.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T13:17:21.591Z
Magnier is having a chat with his team car at the back of the peloton. He’s in a similar mould to Milan in terms of climbing ability. His Soudal team tried to get some riders up the road in the break earlier, but now that they haven’t, Magnier looks set to be their man for the day.
2026-05-28T13:13:10.450Z
It’s Lidl who are leading the peloton. They must be confident that Milan can survive the final climb. Though he has the build of a pure sprinter, Milan is deceptively good going uphill, and has been among the last of the sprinters to be dropped on many of the climbs this Giro. And after a frustrating, winless Giro, and with so little time left, he’s getting desperate for a win.
2026-05-28T13:10:06.947Z
100KM TO
The peloton isn’t allowing the break too much of a lead. It’s holding steady at 1:15.
2026-05-28T12:59:51.354Z
And now Geens has joined them, to make it four up the road. And with a lead of over a minute, it seems we have our break of the day.
2026-05-28T12:59:20.341Z
Bais and Mifsud, before they were joined by Shaw.
2026-05-28T12:56:16.230Z
At some point Jonas Geens broke clear from the peloton, and he’s chasing the leaders in solo pursuit. He still has 17 seconds to make up on them.
2026-05-28T12:55:05.704Z
Shaw is with them now, and we have a new three-man lead group.
2026-05-28T12:54:42.404Z
110KM TO GO
Bais and Mifsud lead by 45 seconds now, and are about to be joined by Shaw.
2026-05-28T12:54:08.838Z
Lidl-Trek have taken control of the peloton, and are riding tempo, with no new attacks being made. There are only three riders up the road, and many, many more who wanted to – but the terrain isn’t ideal for them to join them.
2026-05-28T12:51:03.842Z
Ghebreigzabhier is back at the back of the peloton.
2026-05-28T12:50:43.664Z
He fell right at the front of the peloton, the third rider in line. Thankfully nobody else fell with him.
2026-05-28T12:49:53.039Z
Ghebreigzabhier has crashed in the peloton. He’s up on his feet though and is about to take a new bike to continue.
2026-05-28T12:48:51.817Z
James Shaw has attacked the peloton and is chasing the two leaders, but is having to do so all alone.
2026-05-28T12:47:40.168Z
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(Image credit: Future)
2026-05-28T12:42:33.734Z
120KM TO GO
Still Bais and Misfud lead, the gap holding steady at 15 seconds. The race is far from settled down.
2026-05-28T12:41:14.240Z
Rafferty is the first rider to attack from the peloton in a while to manage to get a gap, but nobody’s gone with him.
2026-05-28T12:39:00.702Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T12:37:20.532Z
This is hardly prime terrain for breakways to go clear,with the road for the upcoming 40km mostly slightly downhill, but still riders are trying to make moves.
2026-05-28T12:33:59.261Z
Jai Hindley has been held up for some reason, and has to make his way back to the peloton.
2026-05-28T12:32:04.450Z
130M TO GO
Bais and Mifsud still lead the race, but only by 15 seconds.
2026-05-28T12:31:09.921Z
It’s a scorching day out there in Italy.
2026-05-28T12:27:53.900Z
The gradient is now rolling up and down, but there aren’t any climbs as tough as the first until considerably later in the stage.
2026-05-28T12:27:11.730Z
Those attacks came together, but Bais has attacked again, this time with his teammate Mifsud.
2026-05-28T12:24:46.195Z
New attack, as Nelson Oliveira and Bais go clear.
2026-05-28T12:24:15.295Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T12:21:31.514Z
This is interesting – Jhonatan Narváez is riding right at the front of the peloton on this descent. Will he try and get up the road and helo form a break?
2026-05-28T12:20:44.780Z
140KM TO GO
The race is all back together again.
2026-05-28T12:17:45.127Z
This chase group is getting bigger and bigger – up to about 20 riders.
2026-05-28T12:16:51.715Z
A large counter group is forming behind those two leaders of about 15 riders.
2026-05-28T12:15:38.232Z
More moves keep coming, but a new one from Garofoli and Bais is the first to get a gap.
2026-05-28T12:13:18.193Z
So the race is all together and we have no breakaway.
2026-05-28T12:13:03.453Z
Jabobs’ lead disappeared on that climb, and he’s been caught as they descend, along with all the chasers behind him.
2026-05-28T12:11:07.424Z
Kubiš’s attack wasn’t enough to force a gap.
2026-05-28T12:09:46.432Z
Kubiš attacks again, and a long line of riders follow him.
2026-05-28T12:08:37.374Z
The two López have caught Magli, and been joined by Hamilton of Picnic.
2026-05-28T12:07:54.175Z
Up ahead, Magli is struggling on the climb and has been dropped by Jacobs.
2026-05-28T12:07:23.796Z
Two López are on the attack – Juan Pedro of Movistar, and Harold Martín of Astana.
2026-05-28T12:06:21.474Z
Stannard and that group have been caught.
2026-05-28T12:03:38.453Z
Robert Stannard is one of them and has gone clear of the rest.
2026-05-28T12:03:17.555Z
Five riders have jumped out of the peloton on the climb, and more are trying to join them.
2026-05-28T12:02:46.033Z
The pace is up on the peloton as they climb, with Ganna struggling to hold on at the back.
2026-05-28T12:02:12.803Z
150KM TO GO
1:02 is Magli and Jacobs’ lead over the peloton, and 26 seconds to Kopecký.
2026-05-28T12:01:02.945Z
The riders are on the uphill now.
2026-05-28T11:56:52.027Z
The pace has dropped off in the peloton, with the two leaders being allowed just over a minute and Kopecký 40 seconds. But the climb is imminent, and if the pattern is repeated from previous stages, this is where the pace will increase again and more committed attacks be made.
2026-05-28T11:53:46.917Z
Jacobs and Magli at the front of the race.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T11:51:56.456Z
Matyáš Kopecký is the Rose Rockets rider.
2026-05-28T11:50:37.826Z
They’re caught, and a Rose Rockets rider counters.
2026-05-28T11:49:30.963Z
A new move in the peloton, this time instigated by Juul-Jensen.
2026-05-28T11:48:40.064Z
160KM TO GO
They’ve been racing for about 10km, and the two leaders have grown their lead to 40 seconds.
2026-05-28T11:47:58.421Z
Kubiš was also in that group, but they’ve been caught.
2026-05-28T11:47:10.044Z
Morgado and Walshweid are both in thie group.
2026-05-28T11:46:48.531Z
Many aren’t waiting ’till then – about 7 more riders have just clipped off the front of the peloton.
2026-05-28T11:45:52.023Z
The road is flat for now but goes up an unclassified rise in about 10km. That might be what some would-be attackers are waiting for.
2026-05-28T11:45:17.781Z
The leaders have been allowed almost 30 seconds already. Surely there are more who will want to get up the road on a breakaway-friendly day like today?
2026-05-28T11:43:32.765Z
Inevitably, Polti want to get involved, and Sevilla has attacked out of the peloton to try and join the two leaders.
2026-05-28T11:42:48.498Z
Magli and Jacobs have 14 seconds.
2026-05-28T11:41:31.456Z
Magli has been joined by Jacobs, who’s been among the first toto get involved in the attacking in what feels like almost every stage.
2026-05-28T11:39:53.030Z
Bardiani’s Magli is the first rider to get a small gap.
2026-05-28T11:38:48.300Z
The peloton is all stretched out, but nobody has got a gap of anymore than a few bikelengths yet.
2026-05-28T11:36:20.816Z
OFFICIAL START
And they’re off!
2026-05-28T11:31:53.913Z
The riders are still 2km away from the official start.
2026-05-28T11:27:22.383Z
The race for the Maglia Rosa will be a significant subplot in today’s stage. Jhonatan Narváez leads Paul Magnier by just 12 points, and, depending on how the stage unfolds, in theory both riders could do anything from score maximum points at the finish, to none at all.
2026-05-28T11:23:30.387Z
Jonas Vingegaard readying himself for another day in pink. He’s only got four more days left to hang on and seal overall victory.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-28T11:16:40.374Z
The riders see the flag for the official start. They’ll be starting for real in about fifteen minutes.
2026-05-28T11:14:28.516Z
Another way that climb will shape the race is by discouraging the sprinter teams to chase, and therefore increasing the chances of a breakaway succeeding. So yet again, the stage is set for another big to get up the road from the start.
2026-05-28T11:10:57.399Z
That late climb might only last 1.1km, but the fact it averages 11.1% (with a short stretch at about 20%), and is only 9km from the finish, makes it a serious challenge for the sprinters to get up still in contention.
2026-05-28T11:06:07.164Z
There haven’t been many successes for the pure sprinters this Giro. In fact, only two stages could be said to have come down to a straightforward sprint so far, with a late crash in Napoli putting paid to most of their hopes on stage 6, and an unlikely breakaway denying them a chance to sprint in Milan on stage 15.
Now today, on another flat stage that at first glance looks like one for a bunch finish, life has been made complicated for them by a late wall close to the finish.
2026-05-28T11:02:13.283Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Hello and welcome to stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia!
