"We have adjusted the dimensions of my frame and enhanced the width of the handlebars," Jonathan Milan announces as he embraces a more aerodynamic stance for the upcoming 2026 cycling season. This strategic change aims to boost his performance in sprint events, particularly at the prestigious Giro d'Italia, where he has set his sights on capturing both the coveted first pink jersey and the points jersey this May.
At just 25 years old, the Italian cyclist is set to swap responsibilities with his teammate Mads Pedersen for this season. While Pedersen will focus on competing for sprint victories and the green jersey at the Tour de France, Milan will take the lead as the primary sprinter for their team, Lidl-Trek. The two riders will still collaborate in various Classics, including Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix, but Milan will be taking center stage in the sprint finishes.
In his quest for victory, Milan will face formidable competitors such as Tim Merlier from Soudal-QuickStep, Olav Kooij of Decathlon CMA CMG, and Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin-Premier Tech. Additionally, he will encounter rising stars like Matthew Brennan from Visma-Lease a Bike and Paul Magnier from Soudal-QuickStep during flat sprint finishes at the Giro and other events.
Milan shared his insights on the mindset required for success in cycling, stating, "The elite athletes in our sport are those who rarely make mistakes—or almost never do. Pogačar exemplifies this level of precision. I aspire to reach that standard."
On a related note, it's worth acknowledging that Stephen, a seasoned member of the Cyclingnews editorial team, has been covering professional cycling since 1994. With a wealth of experience under his belt, he transitioned from Head of News to Editor-at-large at Cyclingnews. His background also includes contributions to Shift Active Media, Reuters, and Cycling Weekly, and he serves on the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).
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