Giro 2026: Ballerini wins in Naples, Eulálio still in pink

fotobureau Cor VosThe finale in Naples is disrupted by a crash on the cobbles. Davide Ballerini and Jasper Stuyven escape the chaos and sprint for the win. The Italian takes the spoils, while Afonso Eulálio retains the pink jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 6 Results – 2026 Giro d'Italia

1. Davide Ballerini (ita) 3:19:30
2. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
3. Paul Magnier (fra) s.t.
4. Jensen Plowright (aus) s.t.
5. Ben Turner (gbr) s.t.
6. Alec Segaert (bel) s.t.
7. Luca Mozzato (ita) s.t.
8. Filippo Magli (ita) s.t.
9. Enrico Zanoncello (ita) s.t.
10. Casper van Uden (nld) s.t.

GC after stage 6

1. Afonso Eulálio (por)
2. Igor Arrieta (spa) + 2:51
3. Christian Scaroni (ita) + 3:34
4. Andrea Raccagni Noviero (ita) + 3:39
5. Johannes Kulsett (nor) + 5:17
6. Giulio Ciccone (ita) + 6:12
7. Jan Christen (swi) + 6:16
8. Florian Stork (ger) s.t.
9. Egan Bernal (col) s.t.
10. Thymen Arensman (nld) + 6:18

Race report

The peloton stays together in the first 10 kilometres, and just as it begins to get a little dull, Edward Planckaert and Luca Vergallito set off. The two teammates put 1 minute into the peloton. Manuele Tarozzi, Martin Marcellusi and Mattia Bais goes after them and make the junction on the only climb of the day. Planckaert drops off again before the summit.

The attackers’ lead never rises above 1 minute before they are caught with 37 kilometres remaining.

Apart from a small attack by Alec Segaert straight after the intermediate sprint — where Lennert Van Eetvelt picks up 2 seconds — nothing much happens. All eyes are on the punchy finale in Naples.

Unibet Rose Rockets take firm control in the lead-out for the sprint. They are the first to hit the rising cobbles and also the first to take the U-turn with 400 metres to go. Then Elmar Reinders crashes, with Dylan Groenewegen in his wheel. Several riders are held up, but Davide Ballerini and Jasper Stuyven slip through unscathed on the inside line. It turns into a one-on-one duel, with the Italian holding off the Belgian.

Paul Magnier finishes in third, doing a good job in the fight for the purple jersey. The pink jersey remains firmly on the shoulders of Afonso Eulálio.

Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia.