Michael Valgren (EF Education – EasyPost) has won stage 17 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, the 202 km long Cassano d’Adda-Andalo, ahead of Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) and Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious).
A member of the 29-man breakaway of the day, Valgren who already made his big come back as a winner at WorldTour level during Tirreno Adriatico this year claimed his first Grand Tour stage at the age of 34. He escaped from a reduced group just before the last kilometre. Norway‘s Andreas Leknessund tried to bridge the gap but settled for a third second place in this Giro while Damiano Caruso, third, moved up to the top 10 overall.
Speaking in the press conference, the stage winner Michael Valgren said: “Before the stage started, I had a good feeling. I had bookmarked this stage for a long time, but the first task was to be in the breakaway. Then we were 28 guys…, it came down to having the legs and I created my own luck. It was also about taking the risk to lose, which I did. [Einer] Rubio was a bit stronger than me, I was afraid that he’d drop me in the last climb. I’m just happy that he didn’t attack me on that last climb. We got caught, then I made my move because I wasn’t sure to beat him or [Igor] Arrieta in a sprint. I was Jonas’ hero when he joined my cycling club. I wouldn’t say we’re close but some friendship remains since we went on holiday together with our families and our camper vans”.
Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) retains the Maglia Rosa as he leads the General Classification.
The Maglia Rosa Jonas Vingegaard said: “What I’ve already achieved in cycling is bigger than what I’ve dreamt of as a kid. If I’m now the reason for some kids to start cycling, I’m glad and proud of that. There are two super hard mountain stages coming, especially on Friday with a long and hard stage. There’ll be differences. I just enjoy racing the Giro. I win what I can. During the first week we did not have the best weather but it’s been super nice since. It doesn’t matter if I end up with four, five or six stage wins. It depends on whether Davide [Piganzoli] has the level, but I’d give up a stage win for him to win or take the Maglia Bianca”.
Stage 17 Brief Results
- Michael Valgren (EF Education – EasyPost) – 202 km in 4h41’33”, av. speed 43.047 km/h
- Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) at 3″
- Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) at 6″
General Classification After Stage 17
- Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) at 4’03”
- Thymen Arensman (Netcompany Ineos) at 4’27”
Official Jerseys
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia – Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, in cooperation with ITA – Italian Trade Agency – Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna Classification, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider Classification, born after 1 January 2001, sponsored by Conad – Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious)
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