Jonathan Milan Shines: Gold and a Record at the World Championships. Ganna on the Podium

Italy shines at the 2026 Track Cycling World Championships currently underway in Shanghai, China. Jonathan Milan was crowned world champion in the individual pursuit, repeating his 2024 victory in Denmark.

The Italian dominated the competition, setting a world record as early as the qualifying round with a time of 3’58”850, becoming the first man in history to break the 3’59” barrier in the 4 km race.

The “Giant of Buja” then defeated Denmark’s Frederik Madsen in the final with a time of 4’00”769, earning Madsen the silver medal. Milan covered the first two kilometers faster than the world record set just a few hours earlier. Third place and the bronze medal went to another Italian, Filippo Ganna: the cyclist from Verbania earned the ninth world championship medal of his career, his second bronze after six golds and one silver.

Thanks to this victory, Italy claimed its first gold medal of the World Championships: the country has four medals overall so far, including two silvers and Ganna’s bronze.