Geraint Thomas Extends Lead After Chaotic Giro Stage 9, Almeida Climbs to 3rd

A Stage for the Climbers, Not the Sprinters

The Giro’s ninth stage, a 172-kilometer route from Bergamo to Milan, was designed as a test of endurance rather than explosive speed. Organizers had anticipated a sprint finish, but a late crash involving 12 riders—including Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar Team) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ)—scattered the peloton just 5 kilometers from the line. The stage winner, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), capitalized on the disarray, surging clear with a 3-minute 17-second advantage to claim his second victory of the race. His margin was the largest of the year in the Giro, underscoring the stage’s unpredictability.

Milan’s cobbled finale, a nod to the race’s 2024 edition, proved treacherous. Davide Ballerini (Soudal-QuickStep) described the conditions as like racing through a minefield, forcing riders to adopt a conservative pace. The crash disrupted the sprint train entirely, leaving Milan to ride solo to victory. His triumph, however, did little to alter the general classification’s narrative: the race remains a two-horse battle between Thomas and Geoghegan Hart, with Almeida now firmly in third after a strong performance in the mountains earlier this week.

Thomas’s Lead Holds, but Geoghegan Hart’s Time Trial Looms

Thomas, the defending champion, entered the stage with a 48-second lead over Geoghegan Hart. His margin now stands at 47 seconds, a statistical quirk likely attributable to rounding in intermediate classifications. The Welsh rider’s dominance in the mountains—where he gained 1 minute 45 seconds on Almeida in Stage 7’s ascent of the Passo dello Stelvio—has kept him within striking distance. However, Geoghegan Hart’s time trial prowess remains untested in this Giro, a vulnerability Thomas’s team will exploit in tomorrow’s individual time trial in Brescia.

Almeida’s rise to third place marks a significant shift. The Portuguese rider, who had been 1 minute 50 seconds adrift of Thomas before Stage 9, closed the gap by 27 seconds on the day. His aggressive approach in the high-altitude stages has redefined the race’s dynamics, forcing both Ineos Grenadiers riders to account for a third contender. João is a rider who doesn’t just follow—he dictates the tempo in the mountains, said Almeida’s directeur sportif, Rui Costa, in a post-stage interview. If he keeps this form, we’ll have a real fight on our hands in the Dolomites.

Behind Almeida, Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) remain in contention for fourth and fifth, respectively. Pinot’s crash in Milan, however, raises questions about his ability to recover in time for the Stage 10 time trial. His team has not ruled out a withdrawal, though Pinot himself dismissed suggestions of retirement, telling reporters: I’m not done yet. We’ll see how my legs feel tomorrow.

The Race’s New Wildcard: João Almeida’s UAE Team Emirates

Almeida’s ascent has injected unpredictability into a race that had appeared to be a coronation for Thomas. UAE Team Emirates, a squad that has historically struggled in the Giro’s high mountains, has transformed into a podium threat under the leadership of Almeida and Pello Bilbao. Their strategy—aggressive climbing coupled with tactical patience in the sprint stages—has paid dividends.

Bilbao, Almeida’s teammate, finished the stage in 15th place, 1 minute 20 seconds down on Milan. His role as Almeida’s shield in the mountains has been critical. We knew the mountains would be our weapon, Bilbao said. But we didn’t expect to be this close to the top three. It’s a dream scenario for the team.

The shift in the general classification also exposes a generational divide. Thomas (35) and Geoghegan Hart (27) represent the race’s established hierarchy, while Almeida (28) embodies a new wave of riders—ambitious, physically formidable, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. His performance has forced the Giro’s organizers to reconsider their assumptions about the race’s trajectory, particularly as the Dolomites stages (12–14) approach.

What’s Next: The Time Trial and the Dolomites

Tomorrow’s 18.5-kilometer time trial in Brescia will be the decisive test of the race’s current leaders. Thomas, a two-time Giro champion, is expected to defend his lead aggressively, while Geoghegan Hart will need to shave critical seconds to close the gap. Almeida’s time trial form remains unproven, but his recent consistency suggests he could emerge as a dark horse.

Beyond Brescia, the Dolomites stages (May 20–22) will determine whether Almeida’s mountain form translates into a podium finish. The Passo Pordoi, Sella Pass, and Alpe di Pampeago are stages where riders have historically been separated by minutes. If Almeida can maintain his current rhythm, the race could descend into a three-way battle—one that could see Thomas’s lead evaporate.

For now, the general classification remains fluid. The crash in Milan, the emergence of Almeida, and the looming time trial have combined to create a race where no outcome is certain. As Thomas’s team manager, Shane Sutton, noted: The Giro is a race of moments. Today was one of those moments for João. Tomorrow will be ours.

One thing is clear: the 2026 Giro d’Italia is far from over.