Jonathan Milan got the final stage win of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, but the greater glory went to Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), who becomes only the eighth rider in history to take the overall win in all three grand tours.
Joining him on the final podium in Rome are Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) in second place and Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) in third.
Milan (Lidl-Trek) took the stage win ahead of Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti VisitMalta) and Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ United).
Today was not a walk in park for the sprinters in Rome as time trial specialists made their life difficult, firstly Rémi Cavagna and moreover Filippo Ganna who went on the escape in the last two laps, accompanied by Matteo Sobrero and Jasper Stuyven. The Belgian protected Paul Magnier but the Maglia Ciclamino holder couldn’t add a fourth stage victory to his successful Giro as Jonathan Milan finally took the win he was looking for since the start in Bulgaria on May 8. Giulio Ciccone claimed the Maglia Azzurra of King of the Mountains and Afonso Eulalio the Maglia Bianca of best young rider.
Speaking in the press conference, stage winner Milan said: “At the end, it’s been a very particular Giro. I came with the goal of the Maglia Ciclamino and we have missed out a few times. I’ve been a bit unlucky too, so to say, here and there. But it’s been important to keep fighting on every stage. We managed to overcome the difficulties with the team. I’m very happy to have finally won in Rome on my third attempt.”
Jonas Vingegaard said: ““It’s very special to have done it, even more than what I could have dreamt of. It’s hard for me to realise that I’ve won all three Grand Tours. When I see all the other seven names, there are some of the biggest guys in cycling, I don’t think of myself in that way. I’ve come to tears when I got to share this moment with my family. They’re always there for me. They mean absolutely everything to me. They support me at 100% in everything I do. It was really emotional to finish it off and win all three Grand Tours. The King of Denmark called me today after the stage to congratulate me. It was a big honour for me to speak with him. It was a very big experience for me. I’ve met him a few times but it doesn’t make today’s experience less big. I’ll stay in Rome for a few days with my family to relax and enjoy the nice food, then I’ll start working for the Tour de France. I’ve believed in this project to do Giro-Tour since November and now I feel that my body can go for the next Grand Tours. I’m not on my knees.”
The second-placed Felix Gall said: “This Giro is the best race I ever did. I’ve stepped up and showed my best but the whole team has become stronger and more confident as the days passed. I’m really proud of this result. The initial goal was to fight for the podium. We have done everything almost at perfection. Next to Tadej [Pogacar], Jonas [Vingegaard] is the best stage race rider we have. To stand next to him on the final podium is a big honour. I’m really to be there.”
The third-placed Jai Hindley said: “It’s been a while I last was on the final podium of the Giro [2022]. It’s nice to be there again. I’m proud of the result and proud of the team. It’s nice to be back. Jonas [Vingegaard] showed during the three weeks that he was super strong and his team was too but we fought all the way. I hoped and trained for more but third is a result I can be proud of. I have a lot of love for this race. It’s probably my favourite race on the calendar. It’s a beautiful race, beautiful people, beautiful country!”.
Stage 21 Brief Results:
- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) – 131 km in 3h05’50”, av. speed 42,295 km/h
- Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti VisitMalta) s.t
- Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ United) s.t.
Final General Classification
- Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) at 5’22”
- Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) at 6’25”
Final 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 – Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna Classification, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider Classification, born after 1 January 2001, sponsored by Conad – Afonso Eulálio (Bahrain Victorious)
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