Racing
Victory for Valgren on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia
Danish rider lands his first grand tour stage win with a perfectly timed attack
May 27, 2026
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
That’s been Michael Valgren’s approach throughout this Giro d’Italia, with the versatile Dane finally taking home the elusive stage win that he and his EF Education-EasyPost team have craved since the race started in Bulgaria almost three weeks ago.
“This was missing from my résumé. I think I deserved this. I think I’ve always said it to someone in the media: my career has been pretty good, but I needed this Grand Tour stage win,” Michael said.
With just a handful of chances remaining in this year’s Giro, all eyes turned to stage 17 of the race and the 202km route from Cassano d'Adda to Andalo. Michael, who has been in the mix and fighting for a breakaway win all race, was once again on the attack as long as the flag dropped, joining a large group that formed early on the stage.
The winner of a fantastic Tirreno-Adriatico stage win earlier this year, Michael was one of the strongest riders in the break, and he was never far from the front when the splits started to emerge inside the closing stages. He marked moves, went into the red several times, but risked everything on that one chance to take glory.
On the final climb, Michael was part of a small group, and he dug deep despite constant pressure from his remaining breakaway companions. Even when they were caught, he didn’t give up, and his experience was vital when a lull in pace with 1.1km created a small window of opportunity for an all-or-nothing attack.
As soon as he launched his move from the back of the group, Michael created a gap on his remaining rivals and, over the final run to the line, held on to win our first stage of the race and Michael’s maiden grand tour stage win.
When he crossed the line, Michael pulled out a lucky charm from the back of his special edition Giro d’Italia Assos jersey.
“Yeah, you know, last year I had high hopes for a good stage at the Tour, so my son went with Pokémon. Basically, it’s a Pokémon in our team colors. So yeah, it’s a lucky charm,” he said at the finish.
Michael, congratulations, you never once let your spirit and determination dip during this Giro, and you’ve finally taken the win you deserved.
