Giro 2026: here are the differences between the favorites for the final mountain stage

The queen stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia caused significant shifts in the general classification. Several riders lost their positions, while others gained places. The biggest losers of the day were Thymen Arensman and Ben O'Connor, although the damage for the Dutchman is still manageable. The podium is still within reach for him.

The queen stage of this Giro d'Italia immediately created considerable gaps, A strong, sizable breakaway formed, featuring several GC contenders from the top of the standings. Among them were Derek Gee-West, Michael Storer, Damiano Caruso, Mathys Rondel, and Chris Harper. Race winner Sepp Kuss also belongs in that group. Before Friday's stage, the American was seventeenth overall, but now he finds himself in thirteenth place.

Gee-West even broke into the top 5 overall. The Canadian champion finished second on the stage and overtook Afonso Eulálio in the overall ranking. Storer nearly did the same but just fell short, remaining in seventh place. The biggest loser was O'Connor, who had to drop off early. He had been gradually slipping in the last few stages. After Friday, the Australian is now down to fourteenth place. Egan Bernal, Mathys Rondel, Chris Harper, and Kuss have all moved ahead of him.