As it happened: Two-up sprint decides victory as breakaway survives stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia
Hills are back on the menu with 2,500 metres of climbing on the way to Chiavari
Hello and welcome to stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia!
After the rest day on Monday, and taking it easy during yesterday’s time trial, there will be a whole host of riders ready to unleash all of the energy they’ve stored up, in a day which presents a great opportunity for breakaway success.
Yesterday was one of the most significant GC sort outs of the race so far, with many of the top favourites finding themselves in a very different position than theory did 24 hours ago. Here’s what some of the top names had to say in reflection.
While there are some tough climbs on the menu today, they’re perhaps not quite hard enough to draw the GC contenders out into another fight. Instead, the main focus today will be on the breakaway, and what looks set to be a very intense contrast for the stage win.
Have a read of our more in-depth preview of today's parcours.
2026 Giro d'Italia stage 11 preview - Punchy climbs favour attackers on coastal route to Chiavari
The riders are off for the unofficial start. This is going to be a big fight to get into the break, so many will want to get to as close to the front as possible.
Jonas Vingegaard at the start, still wearing the blue King of the Montain's jersey, having failed to depose Afonso Eulálio in pink.
Vingegaard talking to Magnier at the start. Magnier will once again have to be attentive to keep an eye on points classification rival Jonathan Milan, as there's an intermediate spint coming up 68km from the start that will surely have his eye on.
The riders will begin from a standing start, as they've been stopped at KM 0 for the flag wave alongsde some VIPs.
Already there are about 15 riders off the front with that Groupama rider, with more trying to join.
Ciccone is among these riders. He's one of the favourites for the stage win.
That group hss a lead of 15 seconds.
There are plenty more quality riders along with Ciccone in this group, including former stage winner Ballerini, his Astana teammate Scaroni, and Stuyven.
More riders are trying to join them from the peloton behind.
There's a third Astana rider in this group too, and they're keen to make this move stick by riding at the front.
Also in this leading group are Bouwman, Garcia Cortina, Bayer, Mozzato, and others.
UAE have missed the move and are trying to ammend that, with Morgado attacking from the peloton.
Morgado hasn't gone clear though, and so fellow UAE rider Bjerg is pulling at the front of the peloton
This lead group is staying clear from the peloton for now, but Ciccone doesn't look happy with the cohesion, gesticulating towards some others in the group.
180KM TO GO
30 seconds is te break's lead. This was the first move to go, but it's looking promising for them.
Scaroni is the highest placed rider on GC in the group, in 16th at 6:59. He lost a lor of time in yeterday's time trial, perhaps in the hope of being allowed to get into a break like this.
Many in the peloton still aren't happy with this break. UAE had been working at the front to bring them back, and now the wildcard teams Bardiani and Polti have taken over, having also failed to get a rider in it.
There are 12 riders in the break: Scaroni, Ballerini, Ciccone, Stuyven, Mozzato, Huens, Jacobs, Garcia Cortina, Pinarello, Rutsch, Bouwman and Zukowsky.
170KM TO GO
30 seconds remains the gap. There are enough teams in the peloton for it to not give up the ghost, with EF the latest team to pull at the front.
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Arrieta has attacked out of the bunch to try to bridge up to the break himself.
Having held steady at 30 seconds for a while, the reak's lead is coming down again, to under 20 seconds.
Arrieta is caught and his UAE teammate Narváez counters.
The peloton can see the break, they're only 8 seconds behind now.
That's it, the peloton has made contact.
The peloton is all stretched out as they descend from a small uncategorised rise.
Two riders have gone clear, and it's two men from the original break - Ballerini and Stuyven.
There's been a big split in the peloton, though only a handful of seconds between them.
The leading duo are caught.
The breakaway from earlier, before they were brought back.
The race appears to have all come back together, with those caught out in the splt rejoining the front peloton.
Out the front of the peloton, the attack are coming thick and fast, but still nothing's sticking.
150KM TO GO
The flat terrain is making this difficult for a break to get away, and it's still about another 50km until the first climb.
Crash - only one rider down, Davide Ballerini. He's back on his bike but only gingerly so.
At the front, Harper, Leknessund and Bais have a small gap.
This trio are going deep to try to make this one stick.
The attack keep coming behind Harper, Bais and Leknessund, but for now they're all cancelling each other out.
Johan Jacobs has managed to get daylight between himself and the peloton, and is now chasing the three leaders.
140KM TO GO
Bais, Leknessund and Harper have built a decent lead, which is now up to over 30 seconds.
That gap's growing - it's now up to just under a minute.
Now a new chase group of four has formed, driven by Alberto Bettiol.
More have joined this Bettiol, amg them some very powerful riders, including Stuyven again.
There are also 2 Red Bull riders in this move, including Vlasov. The team appear to be riding more aggressively, now that both their GC leaders have lost some time in the time trial.
We're only a few kilometres away from the intermediate sprint, and these breaks have enough of a lead to rule put Milan and Magnier from getting any points. Milan has been more subdued than in previous stages, where he persevered for many kilometres in attempts to get into the break and claim points.
130KM TO GO
Harper, Leknessund and Bais lead the peloton by one minute, with the group in between at 30 seconds.
Those riders in the group in between - Vlasov, Denz, Bettiol, Ulissi, Stuyven, Planckaert, Hoelgaard, Crescioli and Naberman.
The break hoovers up the Maglia Ciclamino points at the intermediate sprint, with Bais taking the maximum.
It looks like this chase group is goin to join the three leaders - they're come to within 20 seconds of them, and are over a minute up on the peloton.
And things have calmed down in the peloton. It looks like this will e the break of the day.
Ballerini has spent the whole time since his crash chasing back into the peloton, but he's at last made it back again. Tht's great to see, as he appeared to go down hard and took a while to get back onto his bike.
The chase group has joined Bais, Leknessund and Harper, forming a new lead group of 12.
But this isn’t over yet! UAE have woken the peloton into life again by upping the pace once more with Bjerg.
Harper, Bais and Leknessund, before being joined by the chase group.
Lidl are also working with UAE. Both those teams missed the break despite having started the day with some of the day's favourites (like Ciccone for the former, and Christen and Narváez for the latter), and still have designs on the stage.
Lidl have launched Sobrero, who has attacked just as the road tilted upwards for an uncategorised hill.
Sobrero has been caught, as Jhonatan Narváez takes over at the front of the peloton.
Attack from Van Eetvelt.
Van Eetvelt has been joined by a few others as they go over the top, including Ciccone.
110KM TO GO
All this peloton action has seen the break's lead shrink to 50 seconds, but they're maintaining it again on the descent.
The group that went clear from the peloton on climb has been brough back, and another formed in its place. But it too only has a small gap.
Incidentally, Chris Harper is the highest placed rider on GC in the break, at 7:22. So if this break does go clear, there may be some teams defending top ten sports on GC who try to chase it.
Things had calmed down in the peloton, but as the road goes up again for another unclassified climb, Enric Mas launches an attack.
This unclassified climb marks the start of the next phase of the race, which swaps the earlier flat for lots of climbing.
This change in terrain is already having an effect, with Planckaert dropped out of the break.
100KM TO GO
50 seconds is the gap between the peloton and the leaders, with Mas bearing down on the latter.
Behind Mas, more riders are trying to use this climb to go clear. Van Eetvelt has succeded, and has just caught Mas.
DNF - DAVIDE BALLERINI
Bad news. Despite returning to the peloton after his crash, Ballerini has now abandoned the race.
UAE are leading the peloton with Arrieta, and are trying to bring all the breakaway riders back within sight again.
The breakaway group leading the race.
A new counter-attack grop is trying to go clear of the peloton.
Some familiar names from earlier attacks are present in it, including Ciccone, Sobrero and Scaroni.
90KM TO GO
Still the action goes on breathlessly! The leaders are 25 seconds ahead of Mas and Van Eetvelt, and 40 seconds ahead of the peloton, which shut down the counter-attackers.
Almost time for the first of the day's three uncategorised climb, the category three Passo del Termine.
Attack from Narváez. He's trying to steal a march by attacking on an uphill before the official start of the climb.
Narváez has been joined by a few other riders in the counter-attack.
Leknessund is also in the Narváez group, having dropped out of the lead group.
The riders are on the official climb now.
The pace at last has slowed in the peloton. Is everyone at last happy with the break(s)?
The pace in the peloton is slow enough for some dropped riders to return into it on this climb, including Magnier.
At long last, Mas and Van Eetvel have made it into the front group. They'll have to hope they'll still have enouh left in the tank to compete for the stage later.
Progress has stalled in the Narváez group, however, prompting him to attack out of it.
Barguil tried to follow Narváez, but couldn't follow the pace, leving Narváez chasing by himself.
Narváez is looking in fantastic form once more. He's nearly up to the leaders already.
He's made it, that 35 second deficit made up in no time at all. At last, UAE has a man in the lead group.
Back in the peloton, Bahrain is riding tempo to control things, but are happy let the break stay clear.
Narváez on his way to the lead group.
There are five chasers left in the group Narváez left behind, still hopeful of joining him in the lead group with 30 seconds to make up: Barguil, Scaroni, Zana, Tonelli, Rolland and Marcellusi.
Scaroni is going it alone, attacking out of the chase group.
Scaroni has made it into the lead group.
And now the rest of the riders in that chase group also make it to the leaders, just before the climb's summit.
KOM -
There's no sprint at the top for KOM points, with Polti VisitMalta using all three of their riders in the lead group to sweep them up, in aid of their rider Sevilla, who remains second-place in that classification.
1:40 later, the peloton crest the climb, with Visma coming to the front to lead on the descent.
Jonas Vingegaard, nestled safely in the bunch.
Despite describing his time trial yesterday as 'terrible', and despite not blowing the opposition away as he has done earlier this season, Jonas Vingegaard remains well in control of this Giro d'Italia.
70KM TO GO
Things have settled down a little, but could be about to kick off once again as they near the foot of the next climb.
This one, the Colle di Guaitarola, is the hardest of the day, the only one rated as high as category two, and the longest at 9.6km (with an average of over6%).
They're on the climb, and the break's lead is up to over tow minutes.
Ulissi is pushing on at the front of the race and briefly split the group, but it's back together now.
Not quite all together - in fact there's now clear from the rest.
Ulissi, Mas, Harper, Narváez, Bais, Barguil and Crescioli are clear, and about 20 seconds clear from the rest.
Scaroni and Zana are chasing to try and join the leaders.
Mas is attacking!
Narváez and Harper have gone with Mas.
These three are looking good and working together to increase their lead.
Bettiol is caught by the peloton having been dropped earlier.
Ulissi has dragged a group containing his teammate Scaroni, Bais, Barguil, Zana and Crescioli back to the three leaders.
Now Van Eetvelt joins them.
60KM TO GO
They’re taking it relatively easy in the peloton, which is now 3:50. As expected, this will be a stage for the breakaway.
Back in the peloton, Denz is the latest rider to be caught.
DNF - EDWARD PLANCKAERT
It's been announced that Edward Planckaert, who looked to be struggling when he was dropped out of a breakaway much earlier today, has abandoned.
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Barguil has attacked out of the break, on a plateau following the top of the climb.
He might have committed a bit of a faux pas there, attacking as his breakaway companions were taking bidons.
The group has increased by two riders, with Stuyven and Vlasov at last making their way back into it after a long chase.
Barguil has been caught.
So there are now twelve riders together in the lead group, with the peloton, with the peloton 3:15 behind.
They're descending off the plateau, and Stuyven is pushing on.
As things stand, it appears Afonso Eulálio will remain in pink for yet another day. He yesterday reiterated his desire to keep hold of it as long as possible.
'We just keep fighting' - Afonso Eulálio not giving up on battle to defend Giro d'Italia maglia rosa
A crash, and it’s happened in the break. Van Eetvelt, Zana and Scroni have all gone down on the descent.
40KM TO GO
In the aftermath of the crash, Stuyven, Narváez and Vlasov have gone clear from the rest of the break by a few seconds, with the peloton still 3:15 adrift.
The leading trio are increasing their lead, to 15 seconds.
Scaroni is up and riding, but some way adrift from the main chase group.
Narváez, Stuyven and Vlasov swing onto the climb, leading the 6-man chase group by 40 seconds now.
This is getting urgent for the chasers now, who need to reduce that gap on this climb, or risk losing a chance at the stage win.
Harper is taking things into his own hands, and attacked out of the chase group.
There was a mistake in thr time gaps - the trio were much closer than stated, and Harper and the others have actually managed to catch them already.
Harper has now taken to the front and setting the pace.
Now Vlasov takes over.
Now things could get interesting, as the gradient ramps up.
Stuyven is only just hanging on.
Attack by Ulissi!
Stuyven and Barguil are dropped.
Harper, Vlasov, Mas and Narváez have closed down Ulissi.
Chapeau to Scaroni who, despite looking in pain, is soldiering on and has just caught Stuyven.
1km to the summi, will anyone try to attack out of this 5-man lead group?
Ulissi is leading the group, no more attacks coming yet.
This is one hell of a ride by Scaroni. Having dropped Stuyven, he's now caught Barguil.
KOM - COLLA DI SCIOLI
Harper leads the 5 leaders over the top, which quickly becomes 6 as Crescioli joins them.
On paper, Narváez is the quickest sprinter in this group, so the others will surely believe they have to drop him before the finish. They have one more unclassified climb to do so.
It looks like the winner will come from this group of 6. Scaroni and Barguil are 43 seconds behind.
They're on the descent and nearing the foot of the final uphill. There a Red Bull KM at the top with bonus seconds to be won, but that's of no concern to the breakaway riders, who are all in on the stage win.
20KM TO GO
30 seconds is the gap between the break and Scaroni and Barguil, and 2:53 back to the peloton.
In terms of Grand Tour stage wins, this is a star-studded group, with Ulissi and Narváez boasting multiple between them, Mas and Harper one each, and only Vlasov and Crescioli lacking one on their palmares.
Scaroni and Barguil aren't out of it yet, coming back to within just 20 seconds of the leaders.
Here comes the climb!
There's some jostling in the peloton too, with the GC teams trying to find the best position.
Scaroni and Barguil are now just 15 seconds behind.
Attack from Mas! Narváez latches himself to his wheel.
Harper and Vlasov are trying to join them.
Mas flicks his elbow, but Narváez isn't taking a turn.
Harper has dropped Vlasov, and caught Mas and Narváez.
Mas swings off the front and the pace drops.
Mas accelerates again, and drops Harper - but not Narváez.
Mas has only 1km left of this climb to drop Narváez.
Harper has been joined by both Vlasov and Ulissi.
Mas and Narváez reach the top, still together.
Harper, Vlasov and Ulissi are over 20 seconds behind the two leaders.
This is a technical descent, and Narváez has taken over from Mas to lead on it.
The peloton reaches the top of the climb over three minutes later, reduced in size but with no GC action.
10KM TO GO
25 seconds is the gap between Mas and Narváez and the chasing trio. It seems the stage will go to one of those two riders, but which one?
Mas and Narváez together on the climb.
Mas takes over the pace-setting again as they reach the bottom of the descent.
Mas is no longer happy to lead. He slows up and forces Narváez to take over.
But Narváez calls his bluff, and Mas takes over again.
Mas is accelerating on a gentle uphill in an attempt to drop Narváez, but in vain.
3km to go, Narváez is back at the front on the downhill again.
Mas feigns an attack, and instead sets the pace again with Narváez on his weel.
This is surely Narváez's to lose.
1KM TO GO
Narváez and Mas are looking at each other a bit, and the chasers are getting a little clolser, at 15 seconds.
It looks like Narváez is going to lead out the sprint.
Does Mas have any chance of coming past him?
Mas starts his sprint...
JHONATAN NARVAEZ WINS
...but he's not quick enough, as Narváez storms past him to take his third stage win of the race!
Ulissi beats Harper and Vlasov in the sprint for third.
And Scaroni ends a battling day by beating Crescioli for 6th place.
Andrea Raccagni Noviero waves to the crowds as he finishes with Gualdi and Barguil. This is his home region, and he attacked out of the peloton earlier to give them a show.
Finally the peloton arrives, with all the GC contenders present.
So this is the third stage win of this Giro for Jhonatan Narváez, and the fifth of his career. As much as he’s lit this race up in the past, including wearing the pink jersey in 2024, this is his best appearance here yet.
He might have missed out on the stage win, but that was a very encouraging return to form for Enric Mas. A high GC finish might still be beyond him, but this suggests he’ll be a great shout for a stage win, especially in his favourite terrain of the high mountains.
There is one change at the top of the GC, with Chris Harper gaining enough time to catapult up to tenth overall. He won't be of much concern to the riders chasing the podium, but those hunting as high a place as possible in the top ten now have an additional rider to worry about.
Today's winner Jhonatan Narváez collecting his third stage trophy of thw Giro so far. Riding like this, who's to say he can't win more before the race is done?
Tomorrow will be a seventh day in pink for Afonso Eulálio, after he successfully defended the jersey on a stage where he did come under any attacks.
Thanks for joining us today! We’ll be back tomorrow for another day which could be one for the break - although with the climbs coming a little earlier this time, there’s a chance the sprinters’ teams could bring things back together. From the battle to get into the break, to the race to bring it back and / or win from the break, it promises to be another thriller from start to finish, and we’ll bring you all the action right from the flag.
