Norway celebrates at the end of the opening stage of the 2026 Giro Next Gen. Kasper Haugland (Decathlon CMA CGM) capped off an exceptional breakaway, launched in the early stages of the race and brought to fruition despite a very demanding finale, with the road rising all the way to the finish in Vibo Valentia. Haugland crossed the line completely spent after giving everything until the very last metre. Although the peloton closed to within a few metres of him, the advantage he had built up proved enough to secure the first Maglia Rosa of this year’s edition.
A long-range move
A remarkable 130-kilometre breakaway defined the opening stage of the 2026 Giro Next Gen. The riders faced a 170-kilometre route from Reggio Calabria to Vibo Valentia, and after 40 kilometres the move that would ultimately prove decisive took shape. Kasper Haugland (Decathlon CMA CGM), Håkon Eiksund Øksnes (Team Drali–Repsol) and Luca Fraticelli (Italia) went clear.
“Went clear” is certainly the right expression, as the peloton never seemed overly concerned about the three escapees. Their advantage grew to more than eight minutes, while behind it was never quite clear which team should take control and begin to bring the gap down.
Meanwhile, at the intermediate sprint in Locri, Haugland also collected maximum points. It proved to be a sign of things to come. With 50 kilometres remaining, the Norwegian dropped his fellow breakaway companions and set off alone towards the Mileto KOM. A battle against the peloton then began. While the bunch gradually reduced the deficit, Haugland kept pressing on: with 6 kilometres to go, he still held a lead of 1 minute and 38 seconds, as the other attackers were finally reeled in.
