Maglia Azzurra Favorites: a Battle Wide Open

The King of the Mountains classification at the 2026 Giro d’Italia has always been one of the most unpredictable contests. There are no clear owners from the outset—it is built day by day through breakaways, attacks, and seizing opportunities at the right moment. More often than not, it only truly takes shape in the second half of the race, when the points haul increases rapidly and the major Alpine and Dolomite climbs become decisive.

Out of a total of 898 points on offer, a remarkable 522 are concentrated in just four stages: Pila (Stage 14), Carì (Stage 16), Alleghe/Piani di Pezzè (Stage 19), and Piancavallo (Stage 20). A figure that highlights how the final week can completely reshape the standings – but also why it’s already possible to identify a few riders to watch.

Two Former Winners Lead the Way

Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) and Koen Bouwman (Jayco AlUla) bring valuable experience, having already claimed the Maglia Azzurra in 2019 and 2022 respectively.

Their teams are not built solely around the GC, allowing them freedom to target breakaways. Ciccone, in particular, has already stated he will forgo general classification ambitions, a decision that opens up intriguing possibilities. Bouwman, despite sharing leadership space with a GC rider like Ben O’Connor, operates in a setup that traditionally allows riders the freedom to chase personal goals.

Breakaways as Hunting Ground

Among the most dangerous attackers is Thymen Arensman (INEOS), buoyed by two stage wins at the 2025 Tour and a strong showing at the Tour of the Alps. Jan Hirt (NSN Cycling Team), already a Giro stage winner in Aprica in 2022, can take advantage of a team free from GC pressure.

Keep an eye as well on his teammate Alessandro Pinarello, improving steadily after a 10th place at Tirreno Adriatico and a podium at O Gran Camiño.

Andrea Vendrame (Jayco AlUla) and Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana), runner-up in the 2025 KOM classification behind Lorenzo Fortunato, both have the instincts and skillset for this competition. Among potential surprises is Thomas Pesenti (Polti VisitMalta), on the rise in a team that thrives on aggressive racing and breakaways.

And then there’s the experience of Wout Poels (Unibet Rose Rockets), a reliable presence whenever the road tilts upward.

GC Duties v. Freedom to Attack

Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) arrives at the Giro after winning the mountains classification at the 2025 Vuelta, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be given the freedom to chase points or be deployed in support of the GC, possibly alongside Adam Yates.

A similar situation exists at Movistar: Enric Mas, making his Giro debut, Juan Pedro López – who wore the Maglia Rosa for ten days in 2022 – and Javier Romo, one of the standout performers at the last Vuelta.

At XDS Astana, the options are plentiful: alongside Scaroni, watch for Harold Martín López and the experience of Diego Ulissi. In what will be his final professional season, Damiano Caruso could also carve out a role, as might Santiago Buitrago.

The GC Factor

The Maglia Azzurra is not always the exclusive domain of specialists. At times, GC contenders come into play.

In 2024, Tadej Pogačar claimed it by dominating in the mountains, and in 2026 the main favorite, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), could unintentionally strip valuable points from breakaway riders.

The same applies to Egan Bernal (Netcompany Ineos): his aggressive racing style makes him a potential protagonist in this classification as well.