Coppa Sabatini 2026: Aranburu, Grégoire and Martinez lead the contenders

A Tuscan classic in the heart of SeptemberOn Thursday, September 10, 2026, the ProSeries calendar features the Gran Premio città di Peccioli - Coppa Sabatini, an Italian classic that enlivens the Tuscan cycling autumn. The race, held in Italy, is traditionally suited to climbers and finisseurs, with a route winding through the hills of Valdera and the roads of Peccioli.As is customary for races of this category, the starting field is of a high level: the entry list includes several riders who have animated the major races of the 2026 season, ready to compete for a prestigious victory in one of Italy's most anticipated classics of the month.The expected protagonistsAmong the 163 registered riders, some names of absolute international prominence stand out. Bahrain - Victorious fields a formidable trio with Lenny Martinez, Matej Mohorič and Damiano Caruso, along with the talented Antonio Tiberi. Groupama - FDJ United relies on Romain Grégoire and David Gaudu, while Cofidis entrusts its chances to Alex Aranburu, coming off a season full of satisfaction.Also worth following closely are the Italian teams: Bardiani CSF 7 Saber can count on experienced riders like Manuele Tarozzi and Martin Marcellusi, while MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort fields Alessandro Fancellu, fresh from good performances in Italian classics. Also keep an eye on Caja Rural - Seguros RGA with Sebastian Berwick and Euskaltel - Euskadi with Mikel Bizkarra and Jonathan Lastra.This year's results of the big namesAnalyzing the season's history, clear signs of form emerge for some of the day's favorites.Alex Aranburu has had a standout 2026: the victory at the Bretagne Classic - CIC is the most prestigious result, but the Basque has also shown great consistency in stage races, with top placings at the Tour du Limousin-Périgord - Nouvelle Aquitaine, where he collected a second, a third and a fifth place in individual stages.Romain Grégoire has confirmed his talent in one-day races: the Frenchman from Groupama - FDJ United finished seventh at the Bretagne Classic - CIC and tenth at the GP Industria e Artigianato, but it is above all his placing at La Flèche Wallonne (ninth) that certifies his aptitude for short, explosive climbs. Not to mention his stage win at the Tour de Suisse.Lenny Martinez impressed at the Tour de Romandie, where he recorded multiple top placings on climbs, including a first and a second place in different stages. The young French climber from Bahrain - Victorious now seeks his breakthrough in an Italian classic.Among the Italians, Alessandro Fancellu has shown excellent recent form: fifth at the GP Industria e Artigianato and ninth at Milano-Torino, with a win and two second places in stages of the Czech Tour in August.Curiosity: Alex Aranburu won the Bretagne Classic - CIC on August 30, 2026, less than two weeks before the Coppa Sabatini — source: verified results history.The favorites for victoryIn light of the available data, the race seems to open up to three main contenders:Alex Aranburu — the most complete profile among those with data: his win in the Bretagne Classic proves he can win high-level one-day races, and his mix of power and endurance suits rolling finishes well.Romain Grégoire — his consistency in the Ardennes classics and his ability to be competitive on short, repeated climbs make him a serious candidate for the final victory.Lenny Martinez — if the race becomes hard and selective, his explosiveness on climbs can make the difference, as shown at the Tour de Romandie.Also watch out for Sebastian Berwick, solid seventh at Milano-Torino, and the Italians Fancellu and Tarozzi, who know these routes well and could play their cards in a breakaway or a reduced sprint. Bardiani and MBH Bank, after all, have shown on several occasions that they know how to move intelligently in Italian races.With a starting field of this level and a race that traditionally offers spectacle, the Coppa Sabatini 2026 promises to be one of the most interesting appointments of September.