LATE CRASH IGNITES A CHAOTIC SPRINT FINISH!! 😱🥵 | Giro d'Italia 2026 - Stage 1 | Highlights

A Giro without frontiers in the ambitions of its riders and the European landscapes that will host the race. 3,468 kilometers, almost 49,000 meters of elevation gain, one individual time trial, seven summit finishes, 184 riders across 23 teams, 21 days of racing before the final parade through Rome on May 31st beneath the imperial forums with a pink jersey on the winner's shoulders. One clear favorite leads the field, Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard. Making his debut at the Giro d'Italia, he arrives chasing cycling's triple crown after conquering both the Tour and the Vuelta. But the contenders are many and amongst the most anticipated names, young Italian talent Giulio Pellizzari continues to rise in the pre-race predictions. I think I've had a pretty decent preparation, I'm in good shape and looking forward to it. I think always the Giro is the most unpredictable of the Grand Tours, so you have to be really careful, you have to think about everything you do and yeah. For the 16th time in its history, the Giro begins beyond Italy's borders and this year, Bulgaria hosts the Grande Partenza of what promises to be a spectacular and fiercely contested edition. The opening three stages unfold from east to west across coastal roads and rolling hills where the wind could already play a decisive role. The race begins in Nesebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an open-air museum famous for its ancient Thracian walls and more than 40 historic churches. After 147 kilometres, the riders will reach Burgas, the pearl of the Black Sea. It's a city known for one of the Balkans' largest and most elegant seaside parks, for its cultural heart and a spectacular 300-metre pier stretching into the sea beneath breathtaking sunsets. Italy's Jonathan Milan arrives hunting for his third jersey. One of the fastest men in the world, he wants to confirm his sprinting dominance and finally fulfil the dream of wearing the first maglia rosa of his career. Back in 2023, he claimed his first Giro stage victory as a rising prospect. Today, at just 23 years old, he enters the race as one of the standout favourites. We are really motivated, I'm really looking forward for this first stage. The 109th edition of the Giro d'Italia gets underway from Nesebar. In decent weather conditions, scattered clouds, plenty of sunshine, a temperature of 20 degrees and a light 4km per hour wind welcomes the riders to the opening stage. Just three minutes after the start, Manuele Tarrozzi and Diego Pablo Sevilla immediately light up the race, breaking away from the peloton that for the moment lets them go. After 15km, the leading pair have stretched their advantage to 2 minutes and 10 seconds. They ride through stunning landscapes, but they know their move is a long shot. Behind them, the teams of Dylan Gruenwergen, Paul Magnier and Jonathan Milan quickly make their intentions clear. This state is destined for a sprint finish. The peloton keeps the break under control, steadily reducing the gap that drops to 1 minute and 40 seconds by kilometre 50. But for the breakaway pair, it's a valuable moment in the spotlight. A moment in the spotlight that continues along the breathtaking coastline of the Black Sea, where sea and sky seem to melt into one. Past the gothic silhouettes of the castle of Rava di Novo, through the passion of the fans lining the roadsides, the constant movement of riders collecting bottles from team cars, and the distant views of the Stranza mountains stretching along Bulgaria's border with Turkey. At Cape Agalina, Diego Pablo Sevilla of Polti Visit Malta claims the first King of the Mountains sprint of this Giro. Goes on the left hand side, gets alongside Tarrozzi who fails to respond, opens up a bike length, two bike lengths. Ahead of his breakaway companion, Manuele Tarrozzi. The rider from Bardiani's CSF Faisaner is then given freedom to contest the intermediate sprint in Sosapol, collecting 12 valuable points for the Ciclamino jersey. Behind them, with the peloton rapidly closing in, Jonathan Milan launches his sprint for third place, taking five points. Tarrozzi, a rider well known for his long days in the breakaway, and Sevilla continue their move, and the Spanish rider also takes the second King of the Mountains sprint at Agalina, earning the first Azzurra jersey of the Giro. But once the battle for the intermediate prizes is over, the breakaway's adventure also comes to an end. After spending the entire day out in front, the two leaders are finally reeled in by the peloton, with just over 22km remaining before the finish. It is Tarrozzi going off for the Red Bull, but seems like Sevilla is okay with that. Tarrozzi's going to hang on, so he gets his six bonus seconds and significantly 2,500 euros of prize money. From this moment on, the teams begin their battle for position, fighting to place their sprinters perfectly in the finale. The lead-out trains start to form for what promises to be a highly technical finish on narrow roads, where even the smallest mistake can prove incredibly costly. The pace keeps rising, shoulders collide, the speed becomes ferocious as the peloton storms into the final kilometre at full gas. An emotional and chaotic finale marked by a massive crash inside the final 700m, leaving only around 10 riders clear of the incident. Lund-Andersen opens up, Vernon on his wheel. Lund-Andersen though, can Milan respond? Milan, with work to do, too much work to do. It's going to be between Manier and Lund-Andersen. Closer to the line, it's Manier! We win the race! We win! The acceleration from France's Paul Manier of Soudal Quick-Step is simply stunning, as he out-sprints Denmark's Tobias Lund-Andersen and Britain's Ethan Vernon. Jonathan Milan just can't make it in the decisive moments and has to settle for fourth place. For Manier, just 22 years old and already with 27 professional victories, it's his third win of the season and by far the biggest of his career. The triumph that earns him a well-deserved Maglia Rosa. I'm really happy that the French nation found some strong riders and we will try to continue to progress on this way. The peloton leaves the coast behind and heads deep into the heart of Bulgaria. With 11km remaining, the riders will tackle the climb to Jascovet Monastery, almost 4km at an average gradient of 6.8%, with short, cobbled sectors in the final 3km. The sprinters will have to suffer if they want to stay in contention before the last kilometre. The spectacle is guaranteed.