Since the points system was revised in 2014 to reflect stage difficulty, the Maglia Ciclamino has effectively become the domain of the sprinters. Barring any major surprises, the same is expected at the 2026 Giro d’Italia.
Maglia Ciclamino Favorites: All Eyes on Milan, Rivals Line Up
Milan vs Magnier
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is the standout sprinter on the start list and will have a well-drilled lead-out train at his disposal. The Friulian has already won the points jersey twice, in 2023 and 2024, and has taken 4 stage victories at the Giro overall. He knows how to handle the demands of a three-week race and has already racked up 6 wins this season. One of the most powerful riders in the peloton, beating him will require legs, tactical sharpness, and a touch of luck, perhaps with the hope that his size becomes a handicap on the climbs in the Giro’s tougher second half.
There is also considerable intrigue surrounding Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep), who returns to the Giro after a learning experience last year that proved more formative than fruitful – he abandoned after stage 15. The Frenchman, born in 2004, claimed 19 victories over the past year; in 2025 only Tadej Pogačar won more. Now, however, he is expected to raise the bar in terms of the quality of his wins. The Giro could provide the perfect stage for him to take that final step and establish himself among the very best.
Maglia Ciclamino, Groenewegen and Andresen bring motivation
Debutants Unibet Rose Rockets will arrive with a squad built entirely around Dylan Groenewegen, buoyed by his new team and already a four-time winner this season. His only Giro appearance, in 2021, was forgettable, but his palmarès includes six Tour de France stage victories. In terms of raw wattage, he is perhaps the rider most capable of troubling Milan. This will be his only Grand Tour of the year, so expect him to be highly motivated and competitive throughout all three weeks.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the early season has been Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM), winner of three WorldTour races and competitive on the cobbles as well, with a 6th place at E3 Harelbeke and 2nd at Gent-Wevelgem (now “In Flanders Fields”). He climbs slightly better than some pure sprinters, which could give him an edge when it comes to picking up points at intermediate sprints.
The Outsiders
Also expected to feature in the bunch sprints are Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana), making his Grand Tour debut at 32, and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Premier Tech), returning after a difficult spring due to a knee issue but already a two-time Giro stage winner (Salerno 2023, Naples 2025). Then there’s Ethan Vernon (NSN), a four-time winner this season, along with Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility), Pascal Ackermann (Jayco AlUla), a three-time Giro stage winner, and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), who has admitted he may not complete the race.
Worth mentioning as well are Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello Q36.5), Casper Van Uden (Picnic PostNL), who broke a near year-long drought at the Tour of Turkey, Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ United), Ben Turner (Netcompany Ineos), Orluis Aular (Movistar), Milan Menten (Lotto Intermarché), Luca Mozzato (Tudor), Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta), and Enrico Zanoncello (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber).
With the opening stage in Burgas almost certain to end in a bunch sprint, it’s entirely possible that the first Maglia Rosa of the Giro will come from this very group.
