Ecuador's Jhonatan Narvaez won stage 11 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia on May 20, out-sprinting Spain's Enric Mas after both riders broke away from the peloton near the finish of the 195-kilometer stage from Porcari to Chiavari, near Genoa, Italy [1, 2]. Diego Ulissi of Italy finished third for the XDS Astana team [1, 2].
Narvaez, 29, has now won three stages in this year's Giro [2]. He said after the win, "Mas is stronger than me on the climbs. I remember a book I was reading [which said]: 'If you don't have the game, make your own game.' You will not see Michael Phelps [running], he's especially for the [swimming] pool - so I just tried to defend myself." He added, "Mas was the strongest in the climb and I knew I had to play my game, I just tried to defend myself on the uphill. I was scared because when he did the sprint he almost closed me on the barriers and I was on the limit, but it was full gas racing all day, because we don’t race just in the uphills, we race on the downhills also?" [1, 2]
Portugal's Afonso Eulalio retained the overall lead and pink jersey, holding a 27-second advantage over Danish favorite Jonas Vingegaard after stage 11 [1, 2].
The UAE Team Emirates XRG team lost three strong riders early in the race during stage 2 due to crashes and injuries: Adam Yates, Jay Vine, and Marc Soler all abandoned the Giro with concussion and pelvic fractures [1].
British junior road world champion Harry Hudson was hit by a motorbike while training in Girona about 10 days before May 19. He suffered a fractured vertebra and was hospitalized. Hudson said, "Just over a week ago while training in Girona I was hit on a descent by a motorbike and had a pretty scary crash. After 24 hours in hospital I was released. I'm now at home recovering." [1]
Narvaez plans to re-sign with Netcompany Ineos Cycling for 2027 following new investment in the team [1].
