Narváez wins in Cosenza and Giulio Ciccone wears the pink jersey in stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia

The first Italian stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026 once again delivered a completely unpredictable day. Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) triumphed in Cosenza after an explosive and very tactical finish, while Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) became the new leader of the race after a stage that continued to punish the peloton and left new significant casualties.

Ciccone is the new leader of the Giro after Narváez's victory in Cosenza

The stage between Catanzaro and Cosenza, just 138 kilometers long, initially seemed favorable for resilient sprinters, but the climb to Cozzo Tunno and the grueling pace set by Movistar Team ended up selecting the group much more than expected.

Movistar shatters the peloton for Orluis Aular

The great tactical protagonist of the day was Movistar Team. The Spanish formation hardened the race from the start of the climb to Cozzo Tunno, a nearly 15-kilometer climb at 5.9%, with the clear intention of eliminating pure sprinters and leaving Orluis Aular in a reduced finish.

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The plan worked perfectly for much of the ascent. Dylan Groenewegen was one of the first to drop off, Jonathan Milan could not withstand the pace either, and shortly after, Paul Magnier and Tobias Lund Andresen also fell behind. Even the Maglia Rosa Guillermo Thomas Silva ended up losing contact more than ten kilometers from the summit.

Movistar's work also caused a huge selection among the important men in the general classification. Egan Bernal suffered at several moments, while riders like Filippo Ganna and Edoardo Zambanini also ended up giving way.

Groves and De Lie abandon the Giro

The stage also left new significant abandonments in a Giro that is starting to become a survival race.

Kaden Groves (Alpecin), still heavily affected by the crash suffered in the first stage in Bulgaria, ultimately abandoned the race during the Italian stage. Shortly after, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) also got off his bike, completely physically punished after several very complicated days due to the manure virus. The Belgian had already admitted in the morning that simply finishing the stage was his main goal of the day.

Behind, Visma-Lease a Bike also confirmed the withdrawal of Wilco Kelderman. The Dutchman could not recover from the injuries suffered in the massive crash on the second day, and Jonas Vingegaard thus loses an important support piece for the mountains just in the fourth stage.

Jan Christen launched the decisive attack

After the selection caused by Movistar, the front group arrived very reduced to the final kilometers. Everything seemed to be heading towards a sprint between explosive riders like Orluis Aular, Jan Christen, or Lennert Van Eetvelt, but Christen decided not to wait.

The Swiss rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG attacked a kilometer and a half from the finish and quickly opened a small gap while the group hesitated behind. Movistar tried to reorganize the chase with Enric Mas working for Aular, while Matteo Sobrero later took over.

Ultimately, the move ended up being neutralized practically at the finish line, and there appeared Jhonatan Narváez from the opposite side of the road to launch the final sprint and take the victory.

A thrilling final 1000-meters, with a bold solo move, and a thrilling sprint finish!

Ultimi 1500 m vibranti, un assolo mancato per poco e uno sprint tiratissimo!

The @continentaltire Ultimo Kilometro#GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/LXwCV9GVQx

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 12, 2026

Ciccone finished second, and thanks to the bonuses and accumulated differences, he became the new leader of the Giro d'Italia 2026.

Giro d'Italia 2026 – Stage 4 Classification

1. Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 3:08:41
2. Orluis Aular (Movistar Team) – +0 s
3. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) – +0 s
4. Ben Turner (Netcompany Ineos) – +0 s
5. Alessandro Pinarello (NSN Cycling) – +0 s
6. Afonso Eulálio (Bahrain Victorious) – +0 s
7. Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarché) – +0 s
8. Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana) – +0 s
9. Andrea Raccagni (Soudal-Quick Step) – +0 s
10. Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost) – +0 s

This is how the general classification of the Giro d'Italia 2026 stands after the fourth stage held between Catanzaro and Cosenza, with Giulio Ciccone making his debut as the new leader of the race after a very selective day that once again caused differences and important changes among the favorites.

General Giro d'Italia 2026 after Stage 4

1. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) – 16:18:51
2. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – +4 s
3. Florian Stork (Tudor Pro Cycling) – +4 s
4. Egan Bernal (Netcompany Ineos) – +4 s
5. Thymen Arensman (Netcompany Ineos) – +6 s
6. Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – +6 s
7. Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarché) – +10 s
8. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) – +10 s
9. Markel Beloki (EF Education-EasyPost) – +10 s
10. Jan Hirt (NSN Cycling) – +10 s