Giro 2026: A day for attackers, but Lennert Van Eetvelt does not aim for breakaway

A day for the breakaway riders: that is how we can describe the fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026. It looks like a perfect opportunity for Lennert Van Eetvelt to make a move, but the Belgian does not plan to sneak into a breakaway. He shared this before the start with Het Nieuwsblad.

"Today's climb should definitely not be underestimated," the Lotto-Intermarché rider refers to the seventeen-kilometer-long Montagna Grande di Viggiano. "I expect the racing to be intense, especially with the rain forecasted."

"Today could be a chance for an early breakaway, but I'm not aiming for that myself. I want to take it easy and try to follow the GC contenders. If the break succeeds, then so be it. Above all, I want to enjoy my good form, because often you only realize how strong you were after the fact."

"Honestly? I'm not necessarily super eager to win. Of course you race to win, but that feeling itself is not the most important to me. I mainly just don't like losing and will simply give everything I have," the Belgian concludes.

A tough finale 
In the fifth stage, the Giro caravan heads northward, arriving by midday at the finish town of Potenza. In the finale, the Montagna Grande di Viggiano (17 kilometers at 4.7%) appears along with several uncategorized climbs. Deep in the finale there is also a short but sharp climb (300 meters at 12%) leading towards the finish.