A card for every terrain: XDS Astana name a versatile team for the 2026 Giro d'Italia

Monday morning has brought a flurry of squad announcements for the Giro d'Italia, and XDS Astana are among those who have made their move. The Kazakh team revealed their eight-man lineup via their official channels. Unlike some squads, they have not yet spelled out their specific goals or ambitions — but the rider selection tells its own story.

The team has fond memories of last year's Giro. On stage 16, Christian Scaroni delivered a brilliant climbing victory, crossing the line ahead of teammate Lorenzo Fortunato, who went on to claim the mountains classification. This year Fortunato will not be defending that blue jersey — but Scaroni is a genuine contender to add to his Giro stage tally.

Scaroni is one of five Italians in the squad. Tour of Flanders winner Alberto Bettiol is also making the trip, lining up for his fourth Giro appearance. The Tuscan claimed a stage in 2021, taking the win after a hilly finale in Stradella.

In Davide Ballerini, Astana have a fast finisher who arrives in good form. After a busy spring, the 31-year-old Italian struck in the penultimate stage of the Tour of Turkey, winning a bunch sprint in Antalya — his first victory in more than three years. It is also worth noting that Ballerini finished second on the Champs-Élysées at last year's Tour de France, pipped only by Wout van Aert.

For hilly terrain, the team can call on Uruguayan climber Guillermo Thomas Silva. When the road really goes upward, though, their primary card is Harold Martín López. The 25-year-old Ecuadorian is expected to be Astana's best bet for a strong general classification result.

Diego Ulissi brings a wealth of experience to the squad — the Italian has won no fewer than eight stages at the Giro d'Italia across his career. For the flat finishes, Matteo Malucelli steps up as the team's sprint option; remarkably, this will be his Grand Tour debut at the age of 32. Rounding out the eight, Belgian rider Arjen Livyns provides versatility for the harder, punchier days in the mountains.