Visma | Lease a Bike is looking forward to the Giro d'Italia 2027, with or without defending champion Vingegaard

Marc Reef, Head of Racing at Visma | Lease a Bike, commented on the Giro d’Italia route on the team’s website. “It’s a beautiful route that offers opportunities for every type of rider,” the Dutchman said. “To win this Giro d’Italia, you need to possess a wide range of skills. That’s what makes it such a great challenge.”

Last year, Visma | Lease a Bike won no fewer than six stages in the Giro, thanks to Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss. “During the opening weekend, riders of various types can make their move, and the first real mountain stage follows soon after. Still, the main event to look forward to is the mountain time trial. It’s a great discipline that we don’t see very often, but one that always provides plenty of excitement.”

"The focus is on the final week, with a gruelling mountain stage and a long time trial. The great thing about this course is the mix of different types of stages. That adds an extra dimension to the race. I’m also really looking forward to the mountain stage in Tuscany, which finishes at Zum Zeri. It’s always great to tackle unfamiliar climbs.”

But Reef is most looking forward to the crux of the race. That comes in the final week, with two particularly gruelling stages. “The queen stage featuring the Mortirolo and the Gavia is, of course, a fantastic stage with a wealth of history. The fact that we’ll also be heading to Monte Zoncolan on the final weekend is, of course, wonderful. It’s a spectacular way to wrap up the Giro.”

And so, the Head of Racing for the Dutch national team sees a beautiful route in Italy. “The Giro d’Italia always has something surprising in store, and this year they’ve once again mapped out a great route. In addition to the well-known climbs, they’re also venturing into uncharted territory this year. We’re going to study the route carefully so we can come up with the best plan.”

What would be the best plan? Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike rode the Giro d'Italia last year, both to complete the Triple Crown and to ensure the perfect preparation for the Tour de France. After the Dane withdrew from the race in France, he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the Italian race as a stepping stone to the Tour. And so it’s far from certain whether he’ll be there.

If Vingegaard isn’t going to the Giro d’Italia, there are still several options. For Matteo Jorgenson, it’s high time he lived up to his promise as a stage racer. Alternatively, they could still pin their hopes on Sepp Kuss or a breakthrough from Jørgen Nordhagen. But the most obvious choice is Davide Piganzoli. The Italian already finished eighth in this year’s Giro and could shine on home soil in Vingegaard’s absence.