Veneto Classic 2026: preview and favourites. McNulty leads UAE, but watch out for Cosnefroy and Charmig

Veneto Classic 2026: big cycling returns to Veneto On Sunday 18 October 2026 the international calendar stops in Veneto for the Veneto Classic, a ProSeries race that ideally closes the Italian trilogy of autumn classics. The race takes place in Italy, in the region that gives it its name, and represents an important test for riders who want to end the season with a prestigious result on hilly, selective roads. The expected protagonists The verified startlist offers a highly respectable line-up, with one team presenting itself as a true powerhouse: UAE Team Emirates - XRG fields seven riders, including Brandon McNulty, Benoît Cosnefroy, Filippo Baroncini, António Morgado, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens and Moritz Mauss. Alongside them, Uno-X Mobility with Danish rider Anthon Charmig, Groupama - FDJ United with Valentin Madouas, Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team with Thomas Gloag, Swatt Club with Matias Malmberg and Biesse - Carrera - Premac with Filippo Agostinacchio. The protagonists' season: most recent results The name that shines brightest is undoubtedly that of Brandon McNulty: the American from UAE won the UCI Road World Championships - Men Elite Road Race (27 September 2026) and comes off an excellent end to the season, with 5th at Il Lombardia (10 October), 2nd at Coppa Agostoni (4 October) and 10th at Giro dell'Emilia. Numbers that make him the absolute favourite. Benoît Cosnefroy confirms he is in blistering form: the Frenchman won the Gran Premio Città di Peccioli - Coppa Sabatini (10 September), was 3rd at Trofeo Matteotti and 4th at Lotto Grand Prix de Wallonie. On the short walls of Italian classics he is a formidable opponent. Anthon Charmig arrives from 2nd place at Gran Piemonte (8 October) and a series of heavy placings: 3rd at Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and 3rd at GP Industria e Artigianato. The Dane is a perfect finisseur for hilly finales. Tim Wellens has shown consistency on several fronts: 3rd in a CRO Race stage, 2nd in a Tour of Britain stage, 5th in a Tour de Suisse stage and 9th in a Tour de France 2026 stage. Experience and endurance at the service of UAE. Thomas Gloag showed climbing skills with 3rd place in a Vuelta a España stage (stage 19, 11 September). His consistency remains to be verified, but he is a dangerous outsider. Among the others, Filippo Baroncini took 9th at Coppa Bernocchi - GP Banco BPM (5 October), while Matias Malmberg stood out with 6th at Gran Premio del Lazio (19 September) and placings in stages of the Sibiu Cycling Tour and Tour of Japan. Filippo Agostinacchio achieved notable placings in stages of the Settimana Coppi e Bartali. For Valentin Madouas and António Morgado the recent record is thinner: the Frenchman raced the Vuelta and Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Portuguese took part in Dwars door Vlaanderen and E3 Saxo Classic. The 2026 Veneto Classic promises to be a duel between UAE's power and the opponents' desire for revenge. Favourites for victory 1. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) — The reigning world champion is the beacon of the startlist. His 5th at Il Lombardia and 2nd at Coppa Agostoni certify top-level form. On a late-season Italian classic route, with a finish suited to a climber-sprinter, he starts as the absolute reference. 2. Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) — His victory at Coppa Sabatini and 3rd at Trofeo Matteotti make him the most credible alternative within UAE. On Veneto roads with short walls he can anticipate or sprint from a reduced group. 3. Anthon Charmig (Uno-X Mobility) — His 2nd at Gran Piemonte and podiums at Québec and GP Industria make him the most dangerous opponent for UAE. A finisseur profile suited to short climbs, ideal for the Veneto finale. 4. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) — His experience and placings in high-level stage races make him a valuable tactical weapon. He can be the move-maker. 5. Thomas Gloag (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) — His 3rd place in a Vuelta stage signals interesting climbing form. One to watch. Possible surprises Filippo Baroncini (UAE) — His 9th at Coppa Bernocchi shows he can mix it in the top ten. Matias Malmberg (Swatt Club) — His 6th at GP del Lazio and placings in Asian stage races make him a possible protagonist in a long-range breakaway. Filippo Agostinacchio (Biesse - Carrera - Premac) — His placings in Settimana Coppi e Bartali stages indicate a young rider to watch. Tactical analysis UAE fields seven riders and will be able to set the pace, control breakaways and play multiple cards. Uno-X with Charmig is the most credible opponent in a reduced sprint. Beware of the small teams (Swatt, Biesse, Pinarello) who will try long-range moves to anticipate UAE's control. The data for Madouas and Morgado is thin: it is difficult to assess their condition. Note: limited data for Madouas, Morgado, Sivakov and Mauss; prediction based exclusively on documented results.