Alberto Bettiol wins stage 13 of the Giro after a devastating attack in Ungiasca

Alberto Bettiol has finally found his big day in this Giro d'Italia 2026. The Italian from XDS Astana won stage 13 between Alessandria and Verbania after a devastating attack on the final climb to Ungiasca, where he left Andreas Leknessund behind to secure a solo victory and give his team their third stage win in this edition of the corsa rosa.

Bettiol revives in the Giro with a great performance in Verbania

The day, spanning 189 kilometers, initially seemed destined for a large breakaway, and the peloton never showed any real intention of controlling the race. Bahrain Victorious and Visma let it happen, thinking ahead to the big mountain stage the following day, which allowed a breakaway of fifteen riders to manage over ten minutes of advantage.

Among the notable names in the breakaway were Jasper Stuyven, Toon Aerts, Michael Valgren, Mikkel Bjerg, Andreas Leknessund, and Bettiol himself. There was also Spanish presence with Diego Pablo Sevilla, who was very active throughout the stage and accumulating points in the secondary classifications.

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The race was decided in the last thirty kilometers, when the two final climbs appeared next to Lake Maggiore. The unprecedented climb to Ungiasca, with 4.7 kilometers at 7.1% and sections close to 10%, completely selected the breakaway.

Leknessund was the first to move the race with an attack two kilometers from the summit, but Bettiol responded with great authority. The Italian caught up with the Norwegian on a tough hairpin and shortly after launched the decisive attack. He reached the summit first and on the subsequent descent extended his lead even further thanks to his aggression and power riding solo.

BETTIOL GOES SOLO THROUGH THE CROWDS!

He's flying towards Verbania, and towards a second #Giroditalia win  pic.twitter.com/8CGdSlvWd5

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 22, 2026

Behind, Jasper Stuyven managed to save the day with a third position after winning the sprint of the chasing group, while Toon Aerts ended up giving way on the hardest part of the final climb and finished out of the podium fight.

The favorites' peloton crossed the finish line more than eleven minutes behind, in a day completely controlled and without movements among the general classification men. Afonso Eulálio thus maintains the maglia rosa before a mountain stage that could completely change the Giro.

Top 10 stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia 2026

1. Alberto Bettiol (XDS Astana) – 3:51:33
2. Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) – at 26 s
3. Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) – at 44 s
4. Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost) – at 44 s
5. Mark Donovan (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) – at 44 s
6. Joshua Kench (Groupama-FDJ) – at 44 s
7. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – at 1:33
8. Francesco Busatto (Alpecin-Deceuninck) – at 1:35
9. Markus Hoelgaard (Uno-X Mobility) – at 1:35
10. Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) – at 1:35