Top start for Team Vorarlberg at the 30th Giro de Sardegna UCI 2.1 – Newcomer Giacomo Ballabio in fifth place – Philipp Hofbauer strong
What a start to the season for Team Vorarlberg at the Giro de Sardegna – Giacomo Ballabio fifth on stage – Philipp Hofbauer man of the day
On Wednesday, 160 professionals from 23 teams kicked off the new season at the 30th edition of the Giro de Sardegna UCI 2.1. The first of five stages was a “spicy” 190 kilometers and almost 3000 meters of altitude.
Ready, steady, go and Hofbauer marches! 10km into the race and Team Vorarlberg newcomer Philipp Hofbauer is in the first leading group of the season with four rivals. The quintet pulls out over five minutes. Meanwhile, Hofbauer also secures mountain classification points and shows more than a spirited race. The group is caught, but the 23-year-old immediately puts himself at Ballabio’s service.
Four leaders come through – newcomer Ballabio wins sprint of the peloton Four breakaway riders, who formed in the finale of the first stage, fought it out for victory today. The Italian Nicolo Garibbo (Team Ukyo) wins ahead of his compatriot Filippo Zana from the World Tour Team Soudal-Quick Step. Behind him, 53 seconds later, Giacomo Ballabio (ITA / Team Vorarlberg) sprinted to an excellent fifth place, which he also took in the overall standings. A strong start for the team from Vorarlberg!
Result https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-di-sardegna/2026/stage-1 Info Giro di Sardegna: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-di-sardegna/2026 Start list https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-di-sardegna/2026/startlist TV Live broadcast daily on Discovery+ Eurosport
25.02. Stage 1 Castelsardo – Bosa 189.8 km / 2917 m altitude 26.02. Stage 2 Oristano – Carbonia 136.3 km / 1929 m altitude 27.02. Stage 3 Cagliari – Tortoli 168.1 km / 1418 m altitude 28.02. Stage 4 Arbatax – Nuoro 153.6 km / 3210 m altitude 01.03. Stage 5 Nouro – Olbio 177.3 km / 1617 m altitude
Roster: Colin Stüssi (SUI), Dominik Amann, Philipp Hofbauer, Emanuel Zangerle (all AUT), Ignazio Cireddu, Giacomo Ballabio (both ITA), Tobis Nolde (GER)
Press Service Team Vorarlberg www.team-vorarlberg.at https://www.facebook.com/teamvorarlberg office@proevent-cycling.at
