The 2026 Giro d'Italia promises an exciting race with a diverse range of teams and riders. Here's a comprehensive guide to the teams, their leaders, objectives, and key riders to watch. From sprinters to stage hunters, each squad brings unique strengths and strategies to the starting line in Bulgaria.
Alpecin-Premier Tech:
Kaden Groves is the team leader, aiming for sprint victories and the points classification. With a strong focus on Classics and sprinters, Groves has proven his speed and fearlessness in sprint finishes. His recent success at the 2025 Tour de France and the 2023 Giro in Salerno makes him a formidable contender for the maglia rosa.
Bahrain Victorious:
Damiano Caruso and Santiago Buitrago lead the team, targeting mountain and time trial stages. Caruso, a veteran Italian climber, seeks a final glorious day in the mountains. Alec Segaert, Afonso Eulálio, and Edoardo Zambanini will challenge in breakaways, with Segaert potentially dueling Filippo Ganna in the Tuscan time trial.
Bardiani CSF 7 Saber:
Manuele Tarozzi and Martin Marcellusi are the team leaders, aiming for stages and sprints. Filippo Turconi is a talented young rider to watch. The team's strategy involves developing young riders and going on the attack in breakaways, with Tarozzi's seven attacks in the 2025 Giro as a testament to their aggressive approach.
Decathlon CMA CGM:
Felix Gall and Tobias Lund Andresen lead the team, targeting the GC top five and sprints. Lund Andresen, a 23-year-old Dane, has shown impressive form with wins at the Tour Down Under and Tirreno-Adriatico. Gall, an Austrian, will follow a GC strategy, aiming to prove his stage racing talents.
EF Education-EasyPost:
Michael Valgren is the team leader, targeting stages. The team lacks a GC leader due to Carapaz's surgery and focus on the Tour de France. Darren Rafferty and Sean Quinn impressed at the Tour of the Alps, making them key riders to watch.
Groupama-FDJ United:
Lorenzo Germani is the team leader, aiming for stages. The team struggled in 2026, lacking the next Pinot. Germani, an Italian, has the talent to step up and win at WorldTour level. Groupama-FDJ United will target the brave stages, hoping to avoid a long, anonymous three weeks in Italy.
Netcompany Ineos:
Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman are the team leaders, aiming for the GC podium, time trial, and stages. Bernal, a strong contender, recovered from a knee problem and showed form at the Tour of the Alps and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Arensman, with increased self-confidence, finished third at the Tour of the Alps.
Lidl-Trek:
Jonathan Milan and Derek Gee-West are the team leaders, targeting the GC podium and sprints. Milan, a sprinting specialist, aims to repeat his 2024 success. Gee-West, a Canadian, showed GC credentials with fourth overall in the 2024 Giro.
Lotto Intermarché:
Lennert Van Eetvelt is the GC leader, aiming for the top ten and stages. The team, returning to the WorldTour, will race for UCI ranking points. Arnaud De Lie, focused on the Tour de France sprints, will support Van Eetvelt.
Movistar:
Enric Mas, Juan Pedro López, and Einer Rubio are the team leaders, targeting the GC top ten and stages. Movistar, with a strong tradition at the Giro, aims to target the race more than the Tour de France. The team's strategy and leadership will be fascinating to observe.
NSN Cycling:
Ethan Vernon and Corbin Strong lead the team, targeting stages and sprints. Vernon, a pure sprinter, and Strong, with a power finish, will be aggressive in the opening stages. Alessandro Pinarello, a young Italian, is a rider to watch.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe:
Giulio Pellizzari and Jai Hindley are the team leaders, aiming for the GC podium and mountain stages. Pellizzari, Italy's next great stage racer, dominated the Tour of the Alps. Hindley, a laid-back Australian, will support Pellizzari's quest for overall victory.
Soudal-QuickStep:
Paul Magnier and Filippo Zana are the team leaders, aiming for the top ten and stages. Zana, a QuickStep newcomer, has flourished with victories. Magnier, a young Frenchman, will target sprint stages, hoping to find his 2025 form.
Jayco AlUla:
Ben O'Connor is the team leader, targeting the GC at the Giro. The team has a back-up plan and aims to score UCI ranking points. Alan Hatherly, a fast-track transformation from a mountain biker, and Pascal Ackermann offer additional support.
Picnic PostNL:
Casper van Uden leads the team, aiming for stages. Max Poole, a talented British rider, is out with illness. Juan Guillermo Martinez and Frank van den Broek will try to fill the gap, while van Uden targets sprints.
Pinarello-Q36.5:
Chris Harper and David de la Cruz are the team leaders, aiming for the GC top ten, stages, and sprints. Tom Pidcock, fully focused on the Tour de France, will carry GC hopes. Harper, an Australian, showed stage race talents at the 2025 Giro.
Polti VisitMalta:
Mirco Maestri is the road captain, aiming for breakaways and stage opportunities. The team, managed by Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso, lacks GC riders but will try to maximize every opportunity.
Tudor Pro Cycling:
Michael Storer is the team leader, aiming for the top five and stages. Young riders like Mathys Rondel will get their chance, with Storer's consistent trajectory and experience.
Visma-Lease a Bike:
Jonas Vingegaard is the team leader, aiming to win the GC. With a strong team, including Victor Campenaerts and Davide Piganzoli, Visma-Lease a Bike will play a log game, targeting the maglia rosa in Rome.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG:
Adam Yates and Jay Vine are the team leaders, aiming for the GC podium and stages. Yates, an Australian, has the opportunity to emulate his twin brother Simon. Vine, with Grand Tour GC credentials, will challenge.
Unibet Rose Rockets:
Wout Poels and Dylan Groenewegen are the team leaders, targeting the GC top ten and sprints. Groenewegen, a sprinter, will face competition from Milan and Groves. Elmar Reinders, with Grand Tour experience, is a key rider.
Uno-X Mobility:
Johannes Kulset and Andreas Leknessund are the team leaders, aiming for the GC top ten and stages. Kulset and Leknessund, consistent stage racers, will send riders on the attack. Erlend Blikra and Frederik Dversnes target sprints and stages.
XDS Astana:
Alberto Bettiol, Diego Ulissi, and Lorenzo Fortunato are the team leaders, aiming for stages. Bettiol, Ulissi, and Christian Scaroni are key stage hunters. Fortunato, a measured rider, will target hilly stages via breakaways.
