Giro d'Italia 2026, first pink jersey goes to Paul Magnier

The Giro d’Italia 2026 opened in the sign of Paul Magnier. The Soudal Quick-Step rider came out on top in the opening stage of the Pink Race, the 147-kilometer Nessebar-Burgas, also winning the first Pink Jersey of the 2026 edition.

On the finish line in Burgas, Bulgaria, Magnier was ahead of Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) and Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team), both of course with the same time as the winner.

Order of finish
Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) – 147 km in 3h21’08”, average 43.851 km/h
Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) s.t.
.
Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team) s.t.

General Classification
Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) at 4″
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF Faizanè) at 4″

The official jerseys

Pink Jersey (general classification), sponsored Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia: Paul Magnier
Cyclamen Jersey (points classification), in collaboration with ITA – Italian Trade Agency: Paul Magnier
Maglia Azzurra (Gran Premio della Montagna), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum: Diego Pablo Sevilla
Maglia Bianca (best young man born after 01/01/2001), sponsored by Conad: Paul Magnier

Hot on the heels, moments after the finish, Paul Magnier commented, “I am very excited and proud of my performance and that of the team. It is an important occasion for us, celebrating the partnership with Castelli and with a special jersey. I will now change it to the Pink one. In the final we wanted to stay in front as much as possible to avoid crashes, Jasper Stuyven did an excellent job preparing for the sprint. This is the first time I’ve been able to beat champions like Milan and I feel I’ve taken an important step in my career. I already wore the Pink Jersey at the Next Gen Giro, now it’s my turn at the Tour of the Bigs. It will be beautiful tomorrow.”