Jonas Vingegaard embarks on his quest for a Grand Tour grand slam as the 2026 Giro d’Italia begins in Bulgaria on Friday. The double Tour de France champion is set to make his debut in this prestigious race, keen to add the Giro title to his accolades.

Having won the 2022 and 2023 Tours de France, Vingegaard finds himself facing a less competitive field, notably absent of Tadej Pogacar, who has dominated the season with nine wins in 11 days. With Pogacar missing, Vingegaard emerges as the clear favorite for victory in Rome on May 31.

Success in the Giro would make Vingegaard the eighth rider in history to conquer all three Grand Tours. However, the absence of top competitors, including Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas, who is prioritizing the upcoming Tour de France, casts a shadow over this potential achievement.

Vingegaard’s rivals also include notable absentees like Tom Pidcock and Florian Lipowitz. At 29, Vingegaard aims to reassert his dominance, particularly against rising star Seixas, who brings youthful energy and talent.

Emerging from a life-threatening crash in 2024, Vingegaard has shown impressive form, recently winning Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya. However, the unpredictable nature of the Giro, known for its extreme weather and potential accidents, means he cannot take victory for granted.

The 2026 Giro features a challenging course with nearly 49,000 meters of climbing, perfectly suited to Vingegaard’s strengths. The race kicks off with three days in Bulgaria before heading into Italy, culminating in a key mountain finish at Blockhaus on stage seven.

Meanwhile, Netcompany Ineos, under new management, seeks to leverage AI in their strategy while relying on the experience of Geraint Thomas. They hope to challenge Vingegaard’s supremacy, but the Danish rider remains the frontrunner in what promises to be an exciting Giro.