Paul Magnier sprinted to victory in Pieve di Soligo, taking Stage 18 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia and securing his third win of this year’s race. On a day that looked suited to late attackers across the rolling Prosecco Hills, the stage instead ended in a fast finish. The Soudal Quick-Step rider also moved back into the lead of the points classification, reclaiming the Maglia Ciclamino.
Stage Highlights and Key Moments
The route began in Fai della Paganella and included two categorised climbs before a sharp late test: the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio, 1.1 km at an average of 12.1%, placed nine kilometres from the line. A break eventually formed after a flurry of early moves, with Mattia Bais and Andrea Mifsud (Team Polti–VisitMalta), James Shaw (EF Education–EasyPost), and Jonas Geens (Alpecin–Premier Tech) up the road. Lidl–Trek set a steady tempo behind, keeping the gap manageable and the sprint option alive.
The race took a turn when white jersey leader Afonso Eulálio crashed in the feeding zone, losing around three minutes before fighting back to the peloton. He then attacked on the Muro, but Visma | Lease a Bike quickly closed down the action as Jonas Vingegaard tightened the pace. Despite the steep ramp, sprinters Paul Magnier and Jonathan Milan held firm in the lead group.
Further attempts to break clear came from Jai Hindley (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe), Johannes Kulset (Uno-X Mobility), and Eulálio in the approach to the finish, but everything regrouped with 1.5 km to go. Soudal Quick-Step controlled the final kilometres, with Jasper Stuyven delivering the crucial lead-out that set up Magnier. The Frenchman surged past Edoardo Zambanini and Jonathan Milan to win the sprint and tighten his grip on the points race.
This thrilling stage not only showcased the resilience and strategy of the riders but also highlighted the intense competition within the Giro d’Italia. As the race progresses, fans eagerly anticipate how the remaining stages will unfold and whether Paul Magnier will maintain his lead in the points classification. With several challenging days ahead, every second will count in this prestigious cycling event.