Giro d'Italia 2026 - Stage 13

In this episode of the Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast, hosts Patrick and Benji dissect Stage 13 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia, a 189km flat-to-hilly route from Alessandria to Verbania. The stage unfolded as a classic breakaway affair, with a 15-man group forming early and holding firm until the final climb. Despite early aggression from Groupama’s Axel Huns and Josh Kench, the latter’s premature attacks backfired, allowing Bertiol to launch a surprise solo move at the top of the 10% final kilometer and claim victory in a masterclass of timing and positioning. The GC group remained unchanged, with Eulaglio still in pink but now vulnerable. The hosts debate the strategic implications of the upcoming mountain stage, questioning whether breakaways will dominate or if the GC contenders will finally clash. They also launch into a heated discussion about the Giro’s calendar conflict with the 2028 Tour de France, arguing that the Giro must adapt to remain relevant—though not without nostalgia for the traditional three-week format. The episode closes with a mix of humor, fan theories, and a deep dive into rider psychology, including the controversial 'one-trick pony' label for Bertiol and the shifting dynamics of team loyalty and rider autonomy. The episode reveals that today’s stage was less about GC drama and more about tactical execution, with Bertiol’s win serving as a reminder that even underappreciated riders can seize the moment.