Double Tour de France winner makes his debut when race begins on Friday and is the outstanding favourite for victory in Rome
J
onas Vingegaard’s bid to complete a rare Grand Tour grand slam by winning the 2026 Giro d’Italia begins in Bulgaria on Friday when the double Tour de France winner makes his debut in the Italian race.
Vingegaard, the winner of the 2022 and 2023 Tours de France, has been eclipsed by the achievements of Tadej Pogacar – winner this season of nine races in 11 days of racing – but is the outstanding favourite for victory in Rome on 31 May.
That is largely because Pogacar is absent. In fact, the Dane will be competing in something of a void, as the world’s best riders skip the Giro to prioritise on the all-consuming Tour de France.
