Anyone passing the Italian ProTeams’ buses during the morning at the Tour de Langkawi notices an unprecedented level of nervousness among the team directors and riders. They are all making a last-ditch effort—under immense pressure—to secure the final UCI points of the season, hoping this will keep them in the running for a possible wildcard to the crucial Giro d’Italia.
According to UCI regulations, teams aiming for wildcards in grand tours in 2026 must finish in the top 30 of the UCI team rankings this year. And the Italian ProTeams Polti-VisitMalta, VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè, and Solutions Tech-Vini Fantini find themselves all in the danger zone. In fact, these teams occupy the precarious positions 29, 30, and 31 respectively on the ranking, sparking a direct battle among the three ProTeams. They all still hope for a Giro invitation.
At the time of writing, Polti-VisitMalta is in the best shape, holding a lead of just under 400 UCI points over the other two. Vini Fantini is virtually out of the running for a wildcard, but the gap with Bardiani is only about 80 points. All admit that those points remain the biggest topic of conversation within the teams.
Immense pressure
“We’re not even here to win. We just want the UCI points and are fighting with as many riders as possible near the front of the results. Every day you fail to score points is a disappointment,” sums up Polti team manager Jesus Hernandez succinctly.
Will Vini Fantini be the sacrificial lamb? - photo: Cor Vos
According to Hernandez, the pressure from team management is particularly intense. “We are told it’s a matter of survival. No Giro means the end of the team. Our bosses are constantly crunching those numbers. But even reaching the top 30 isn’t enough. We also have to be the highest-ranked Italian team. Can you imagine what that does to us? It’s too much pressure, but we don’t want to burden the riders with it.”
The same goes for their counterparts at Solution Tech-Vini Fantini. “We’re not far from our goal, but you notice we’ve raced too many events this season,” explains team manager Filippo Fuochi. According to the Italian, the riders are fatigued. “We ride a lot of races, sometimes even three concurrently, because every race the team enters is another chance to score points. In those races, we need to finish with as many riders as possible at the front. We’re trying to save face, but under such pressure that is not easy.”
Fuochi stresses the importance of the Giro d’Italia for these ProTeams. “For both our large and small sponsors, the Giro is the reason this team exists. It gives them the biggest national stage. If we can’t go to the Giro, like this year, it means much less return on their investment. That’s a real problem. It’s the same for the other teams. We sometimes joke about it, but no one reveals their true plans and everyone has their own strategy.”
International competition
Bardiani team manager Mirko Rossato makes a valid point: “Even if we end up in the top 30 teams, you’re still not guaranteed a start spot.” In principle, the organizer RCS may hand out two wildcards on top of the 18 WorldTeams and the first two ProTeams in the UCI ranking, who qualify automatically. But last year there were fewer issues because ProTeam Lotto repeatedly declined their wildcard and the UCI added an extra slot at the last minute.
Piganzoli and Polti Kometa have the best cards - photo: Cor Vos
On the other hand, competition for the Italian ProTeams is increasing as international players like Q36.5 and Tudor are also targeting the same spots. Teams are also frustrated by sponsors such as Tudor, Polti, and VisitMalta reportedly cutting deals with RCS and funneling them money. Plus, Lotto will become a WorldTeam in 2026 alongside Intermarché-Wanty, likely claiming their automatic spot in the 2026 edition.
Still, Bardiani remains hopeful. “We already have a 40-year legacy in the Giro. If we can’t start, it’s a problem for the fans. But fortunately, our future is secure because our sponsors are signed until the end of 2027.”
Each team is now approaching the final weeks of the season differently. “Our focus is on the Italian one-day races,” says Bardiani team manager Rossato. “There are many more points to be earned there than in Langkawi’s sprints. Scoring 125 or 150 points each time can add up quickly.” Polti Kometa has the same plan. At Vini Fantini, they already sense the writing on the wall: “Even if we’re not allowed into the Giro, we can still hope for invitations to the other Italian WorldTour races,” Fuochi concludes.
