Davide Piganzoli is the man who launched Vingegaard towards the yellow jersey. His work was invaluable and Vingegaard himself, with an embrace at the end of the stage, wanted to thank him for the work he had done.

There is also plenty of Italy in the first yellow jersey of the 2026 Tour de France, despite only 12 Italians racing, their presence was truly felt. Behind the masterpiece of Visma-Lease a Bike and Jonas Vingegaard's victory in the team time trial in Barcelona lies the precious work of Davide Piganzoli, protagonist of an exceptional performance that confirms his extraordinary current form.

The rider from Morbegno was one of the key men in the success of the Dutch team. After being among the best of Visma at the recent Giro d'Italia, won precisely by Vingegaard, the Lombard has once again proven to be a fundamental piece in the team's strategy.

The Visma-Lease a Bike tactics had been studied in minute detail and Piganzoli was one of the main interpreters. His task was clear: accompany Jonas Vingegaard to the final meters and launch him towards the best time. In the final of the time trial it was precisely the Italian, together with Sepp Kuss, who prepared the decisive acceleration of the Danish captain, allowing him to cross the finish line with the time that earned him the stage victory and the first yellow jersey of the Tour.

At the end of the race Piganzoli explained how the team had prepared for the time trial.
«We had a good plan. We were only five riders pulling in the flat section, then me, Sepp Kuss and Jonas tried to reach the finish line with the best possible time.»

The final part of the course had been entrusted precisely to the Italian.
«Sepp and I tried to launch Jonas in the final stretch. Matteo Jorgenson also made a very strong effort on the descent, so we are really very happy.»

Every detail was executed perfectly and the final result proves it. Visma-Lease a Bike chose a different approach compared to the other teams.
«In general our plan was different from the others. We gave our all especially in the final part.»

A tactical choice that allowed the Dutch team to preserve precious energy until the final kilometers, when the race was decided. And it was precisely there that Piganzoli made the difference, putting every remaining ounce of strength at the service of the captain. Immediately after crossing the finish line, the images told the story of the atmosphere that was breathing in Visma.

Piganzoli embraced one after another all his teammates, sharing the joy of a victory built together. Only at the end did he go to meet Jonas Vingegaard, hugging him in a long embrace and congratulating him on winning the yellow jersey. A simple gesture, but one that testifies to the strong team spirit of a squad that transformed collective work into a tactical masterpiece. For the young rider from Valtellina, experiencing a moment like this represents something special.

«We are super happy. You can't help but be happy when you win the yellow jersey on the first day of the Tour.»

Then Piganzoli tried to describe the emotions you experience in the most important race in the world. «It's really beautiful to be here and a result like this gives you a joy that's difficult to describe».