Mas shows strong form, but can’t stop Narváez’s Giro hat‐trick in tough breakaway stage
CyclingWednesday, 20 May 2026 at 17:17
Jhonatan Narváez won Stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia in style on Wednesday. It was a stage with a very challenging opening, and only halfway through the race did a breakaway finally get established. From that group, Enric Mas and the Ecuadorian from UAE emerged as the strongest climbers, with Narváez ultimately beating the Movistar Spaniard in the sprint. That marked his third victory in this Giro.
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In the first eighty kilometres, there were expected to be few obstacles, but the long finale certainly offered challenges: first the Colle di Guaitarola (9.9 km at 6.2 %), then the Colla dei Scioli (5.7 km at 6.3 %), and finally Cogorno (4.6 km at 6.4 %). Many riders were eager to get involved.
From the moment the flag dropped, Groupama‑FDJ took the initiative. Several riders followed, including Giulio Ciccone (Lidl‑Trek) and Christian Scaroni (Red Bull‑BORA‑hansgrohe) as potential contenders. Initially, a group of 25 riders broke away, later reduced to 14.
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In the peloton, teams like EF, Movistar, Alpecin‑Premier Tech, and UAE Team Emirates‑XRG pushed to avoid being left out. Tension grew in the front group, especially around Ciccone. After thirty kilometres of intense racing, the chasing peloton led by Jan Christen caught back up, and former stage winner Davide Ballerini, after a strong start, crashed hard but managed to rejoin.
Read on below the video!
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Calm doesn't return
A new lead trio formed with Chris Harper (Pinarello‑Q36.5), Mattia Bais (Polti‑VisitMalta), and Andreas Leknessund (Uno‑X). Behind them, another group formed including Stuyven, two Red Bull riders (Denz and Vlasov), and an XDS‑Astana duo (Ulissi and Bettiol).
Nine riders managed to bridge, forming a lead group of twelve: Harper, Bais, Leknessund, Planckaert, Denz, Vlasov, Stuyven, Naberman, Crescioli, Hoelgaard, Bettiol, and Ulissi. Lidl‑Trek had missed the move, so they kept the peloton active, as did UAE.
This led to a phase of nearly constant high pace. The second half of the stage remained hilly, with lots of activity in the front and peloton. Hoelgaard, Leknessund, Naberman, and Planckaert eventually dropped from the break, while Lennert Van Eetvelt and Enric Mas tried to bridge.
Breakaway finally takes shape after 110 km
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Ballerini abandoned following his earlier crash. Van Eetvelt and Mas struggled to join the eight remaining leaders, hovering about 20 seconds behind. After more than 110 km, the front group stabilized, with some chasers still ahead. Jhonatan Narváez, already a two-time stage winner in this Giro, was among them.
On the Passo del Termine, Narváez bridged solo to the ten leaders, with other chasers struggling to close the gap. After 2.5 hours of racing, the lead group expanded to seventeen riders. The peloton reduced pace, trailing by nearly two minutes.
The extended group now included Martin Marcellusi, Brieuc Rolland, Filippo Zana, Warren Barguil, Alessandro Tonelli, and Scaroni, creating a dangerous break.
Read on below the video!
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Strong lead group shrinks, crashes occur
The group quickly attacked. Bettiol was reeled in, while Mas, Narváez, and Harper pulled away briefly. Ulissi accelerated, causing some riders to drop: Rolland, Vlasov, Stuyven, Denz, Tonelli, and Marcellusi fell behind.
With 59 km to go, ten riders remained at the front. Vlasov and Stuyven quickly returned, with Stuyven pushing hard in the descent. Van Eetvelt crashed, and Zana and Scaroni couldn’t avoid a tumble; all three remounted quickly. Vlasov continued to push in the descent, taking Narváez and Stuyven with him, forming a leading trio over six chasers. Scaroni, Zana, and Van Eetvelt tried to return but it was difficult after the crashes.
Read on below the video!
Ulissi and Mas color final, Narváez perfectly positioned
The finale started with the Colla dei Scioli (5.7 km at 6.3 %). Bais dropped, while Ulissi attacked uphill. Stuyven, Barguil, and Crescioli struggled with the pace, and Crescioli rejoined just before the summit. Six riders went into the descent together, with Scaroni and Barguil not far behind.
Narváez, fully in control, waited for the sprint. Mas led briefly, but Narváez overtook him in the final metres to claim the stage, completing his Giro hat‑trick.
Results of stage 11 Giro d'Italia 2026
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Latest Comments
- The only cyclist who can beat Tadej is Tadej.
Brucegel09-05-2026 - Enough of this b.s. already.Just tell the world all you suspicious people what would satisfy you that he is not doping.live real time urinating and testing?.Live real time blood draws 5 seconds after a race is over?.Fecal analysis.WTF will satisfy you?Brucegel03-05-2026
- This suspicion could be laid to rest by what? What would make all doubters happy that Pogi is clean? Just tell the world all you Frenchmen et al what you want as protocol.You will never be satisfied.That is your level of mindless groundless suspicions.Brucegel03-05-2026
- Here is a novel idea......it's a road bike race, stick to smooth asphalt courses! Cobble is like mild off-road cross riding!!!!Germanrazor14-04-2026
- To lose a race like that on a mechanical problem in this day and age is unforgivable. Why aren't all riders using the same (interchangeable) gear? It is the job of the team manager to manage and reduce risk variables. The fact that he not only didn't pick up on the potential issue but actually ok'd it is just madness.fatehasfans13-04-2026
- Rider X, y and z? Could you update?yaNzKEWL21-03-2026
- Can anyone help me understand the thinking behind the two punishments? Are the commissaires saying you get thrown out of the race for a second inadvertent disposal of a bidon (even to the delight of fans) but that as long as you can afford it you can show off your phalangeal cuticles all day long on international TV? Aking for a friend.packfiller7112-03-2026
- It's a bit embarrassing that. Isn't the main sponsor supposed to keep them at 36.5 ?tomjacques03-03-2026
- They were close to cracking a very tired Tadej that wasn't fully focused on the TdF with a team of riders focused solely on cracking Tadej. And if they cracked him, he would have still won. Tadej won't be racing the giro this year. It'll be an even easier win for him.Veganpotter09-02-2026
- Nice!Bea22-01-2026
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