Italian selection immediately playing a leading role at the Turul României 2026. Although not winning, the Italian team performed excellently in the first stage (the Chișinău-Ungheni of 162 kilometers) of the short stage race .2, obtaining a good third place in the sprint with Alessio Menghini and dreaming for a long time of a major upset with Roberto Capello.

Having inserted himself into the four-man breakaway comprising Barnabas Vas (Team United Shipping), Jeen de Jong (Universe Cycling Team), Patrick Pescaru (Romania) and Alexandru Hojda (CSU - Universitatea de Vest Din Timișoara), the eighteen-year-old from Cossombrato indeed attacked solo 28 kilometers from the finish, keeping alive the hope of a partial victory until the 4000-meter banner at the finish when the peloton caught up with him, nullifying his attempt.

It was therefore a tight group sprint that decided the stage, won with a powerful effort by Polish rider Radosław Frątczak (Wibatech Lubelskie Perła Polski) who, thanks to time bonuses, thus became the first leader of the race. Tomorrow, in the Iași-Piatra Neamț stage of 147.2 kilometers, the script should not be very different since, apart from a few minor climbs, the finale presents no particular altitude difficulties and therefore the sprinters' teams should have an easy time keeping the race together in view of the probable final sprint.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Radosław Frątczak (Wibatech Lubelskie Perła Polski) 3:35:42

2. Liam Punnewaert (K.O.F.M. x Thielemans - Bildin - Van Eyck Sport Cycling Team) s.t.

3. Alessio Menghini (Italy) s.t.

4. Christopher Ringkjøb Bruun (NCF Region Vest) s.t.

5. András Gusztáv Pakot (Team United Shipping) s.t.

6. Filippo Dignani (Vega - Vitalcare - Dynatek) s.t.

7. Sander Gysland (NCF Region Vest) s.t.

8. Gerhard-Cristin Moldansky (MENtoRISE Teem CCN) s.t.

9. Gabriele De Fabritiis (Albania) s.t.

10. Wesley Van Dyck (K.O.F.M. x Thielemans - Bildin - Van Eyck Sport Cycling Team) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Radosław Frątczak (Wibatech Lubelskie Perła Polski) 3:35:32

2. Liam Punnewaert (K.O.F.M. x Thielemans - Bildin - Van Eyck Sport Cycling Team) +0:04

3. Alessio Menghini (Italy) +0:06

4. Christopher Ringkjøb Bruun (NCF Region Vest) +0:10

5. András Gusztáv Pakot (Team United Shipping) +0:10

6. Filippo Dignani (Vega - Vitalcare - Dynatek) +0:10

7. Sander Gysland (NCF Region Vest) +0:10

8. Gerhard-Cristin Moldansky (MENtoRISE Teem CCN) +0:10

9. Gabriele De Fabritiis (Albania) +0:10

10. Wesley Van Dyck (K.O.F.M. x Thielemans - Bildin - Van Eyck Sport Cycling Team) +0:10

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points classification: Radosław Frątczak (Wibatech Lubelskie Perła Polski)

Mountain classification: Barnabas Vas (Team United Shipping)

Best young rider classification: Liam Punnewaert (K.O.F.M. x Thielemans - Bildin - Van Eyck Sport Cycling Team)

Photo credit: Tour of Romania