At the top of Corno alle Scale, at the conclusion of the 184 kilometers of the ninth stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia, Vingegaard celebrates. The Danish rider from Visma Lease a Bike attacked two kilometers from the finish line and together with Gall reached Ciccone who was leading at that moment, then, remaining alone with the Austrian, the blue jersey increased the pace further and headed solo to the finish line crossing it 12" ahead of Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), second and with 34" on his teammate Piganzoli, third. Thymen Arensman (Netcompany INEOS) finished fourth with the pink jersey Afonso Eulálio, fifth at 41" behind. The Portuguese rider from Bahrain - Victorious goes to the second rest day still wearing pink with a 2'24" advantage over Vingegaard. Pellizzari loses ground instead, crossing the finish line with a delay of 1'28".

RACE REPORT - Today's stage started at a fast pace and shortly after leaving Cervia, Edward Planckaert (Alpecin - Premier Tech), Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar Team) and Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana Team) increased the pace. Behind them for several kilometers there were successive attacks, then at the fortieth kilometer, three other athletes joined them forming a group of eight: Jonas Geens (Alpecin - Premier Tech), Martin Marcellusi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber), Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar Team), Einer Rubio (Movistar Team), Tim Naberman (Team Picnic PostNL), Mattia Bais (Team Polti VisitMalta), Sakarias Koller Løland (Uno-X Mobility) and Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana Team).

Towards San Lazzero di Savena the group led by Decathlon CMA CGM reduced the gap with the breakaway riders and a few kilometers later, on the climb, Giulio Ciccone (Lidl - Trek), Toon Aerts (Lotto Intermarché) and Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team) attacked and, breaking away from the peloton, chased until reaching the front right near the Marzabotto Intermediate Sprint where Ballerini beat Geens and Marcellusi.

The leading group, now strong with eleven men, was reported at approximately 1'40" on the main group. The gap then increased and towards the Querciola climb it became 2'20"

On the first slopes of the climb the leading group broke apart and five riders remained at the front Ciccone (Lidl - Trek), Aerts (Lotto Intermarché), Milesi (Movistar Team), Rubio (Movistar), Ulissi (XDS Astana Team). At the next mountain sprint they passed in order Rubio (Movistar Team), Milesi (Movistar Team) and Ulissi (XDS Astana Team).

The situation changed shortly after the Red Bull Kilometer: the pink jersey group was reported in pursuit and among the breakaway riders Ciccone and Rubio increased the pace continuing as a pair. Seven kilometers from the finish the Abruzzese from Lidl Trek changed pace again taking the solo lead. Meanwhile behind him Visma Lease a Bike and Decathlon CMA CGM were setting the pace of the chase reaching one by one the day's breakaway riders and making Pellizzari suffer, escorted by his teammates. 

In the last two kilometers the attack by Gall and Vingegaard, the reunion with Ciccone and then a new push until the decisive acceleration in the last 500 meters that allowed the man in blue to claim his second stage victory in this year's "pink race", and update his career wins tally: 50.

The Giro d'Italia will restart Tuesday from Viareggio with a 42-kilometer time trial that seems destined to reshape the general classification. 

To read the live text coverage of the race click here 

STAGE RESULTS

1 Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike 04:20:21

2 Gall Felix Decathlon CMA CGM Team 00:12

3 Piganzoli Davide Team Visma | Lease a Bike 00:34

4 Arensman Thymen Netcompany INEOS ,,

5 Eulálio Afonso Bahrain - Victorious 00:41

6 Gee-West Derek Lidl - Trek 00:46

7 Rondel Mathys Tudor Pro Cycling Team ,,

8 Kuss Sepp Team Visma | Lease a Bike ,,

9 Hindley Jai Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 00:50

10 Storer Michael Tudor Pro Cycling Team ,,

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 Eulálio Afonso Bahrain - Victorious 20 12′ 38:49:44

2 Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike 20′ 02:24

3 Gall Felix Decathlon CMA CGM Team 12′ 02:59

4 Hindley Jai Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 4′ 04:32

5 Scaroni Christian XDS Astana Team 04:43

6 Arensman Thymen Netcompany INEOS 4′ 05:00

7 Rondel Mathys Tudor Pro Cycling Team 05:01

8 O'Connor Ben Team Jayco AlUla 05:03

9 Pellizzari Giulio Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 4′ 05:15

10 Storer Michael Tudor Pro Cycling Team 05:20

Updates to follow