EF Education-EasyPost has pulled two of its star riders—Michael Valgren and James Shaw—from the Giro d’Italia with just three stages remaining, a bold tactical move that reshapes the race’s final act and raises questions about team strategy in Grand Tours.
The withdrawal—announced Friday morning (May 17) via an official team statement—comes as EF Education-EasyPost prioritizes recovery ahead of the Tour de France, where both riders are expected to start in July. The decision was made after consultations with medical staff, who assessed Valgren and Shaw’s fatigue levels following Stage 17’s grueling ascent to Andalo. With the Giro’s final mountain stages (Stages 19 and 20) featuring cumulative elevation gains of over 7,000 meters, the team determined their presence would not meaningfully impact the race outcome while risking injury or diminished performance in the Tour.
Why EF Pulled Valgren and Shaw: Health, Strategy, and the Tour de France Shadow
The move is a calculated gamble with immediate and long-term implications. Valgren, who claimed his first Grand Tour stage win in Andalo (Stage 17) with a solo attack up the 14.5km climb to the finish, was leading the general classification before his withdrawal. His victory—earned after a 2022 crash nearly ended his career—came in a stage where he battled through severe hip pain, a lingering issue from his pelvic fracture. Team physicians confirmed post-stage that his condition had worsened, making continued participation in the Giro’s final mountain stages unadvisable.
Shaw, a 30-year-old climber and domestique, had been instrumental in EF’s support work, particularly for Valgren and teammate Jonas Vingegaard (GC leader, +1:02). His withdrawal leaves EF with no riders in the top 20 of the general classification, a stark contrast to their pre-Giro ambitions. The team’s next-best-placed rider, Marcel Beloki (23rd, +12:45), lacks the climbing prowess to challenge for podium spots in the final stages.
According to Cyclingnews, EF’s decision was framed as a strategic reset: *”With several riders already sidelined through injury this season, and with Michael and James both essential to our goals this summer, we have made the decision to prioritize their health, recovery, and preparation for the important block of racing ahead.”* The team’s statement also underscored respect for the Giro, insisting they *”will keep fighting all the way to Rome”*—a nod to the optics of withdrawing so late in the race, where only three riders (Vingegaard, Felix Gall, and Thymen Arensman) remain in the top 10.
The timing is telling. Stage 19, the queen stage with 5,000 meters of elevation gain and a finish atop the 1,706m Passo Brocon, would have been a brutal test for Valgren, who has battled back from a near-career-ending crash in 2022. Shaw, meanwhile, has been a linchpin for EF’s support work, particularly for Vingegaard, who remains in the pink jersey and is targeting a Giro-Tour double. Losing them now means EF’s role in the final stages is diminished—but it also ensures their riders arrive in France fresh.
EF’s move comes amid a broader trend in Grand Tours, where teams increasingly prioritize Tour de France preparation. This season, multiple riders—including sprinters like Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny) and Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates)—have abandoned the Giro early to rest for July. However, Valgren and Shaw’s withdrawal is notable for occurring so late in the race, with only three stages remaining. Their absence leaves EF with no riders in the top 20 of the GC, a rare scenario for a team that entered the Giro as a contender.
League context adds urgency: The Tour de France begins July 6, and EF’s decision aligns with the team’s long-term strategy to maximize Valgren and Shaw’s fitness for the race. Valgren, in particular, is a key domestique for Vingegaard, who aims to defend his 2023 title. Shaw’s versatility as a climber and domestique makes his freshness critical for EF’s support work in the Alps and Pyrenees. The team’s roster rules allow them to make such adjustments, but the optics remain contentious.
A Stage Win and a Lucky Charm: Valgren’s Emotional Triumph in Andalo
Valgren’s victory on Stage 17 wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a story of resilience. The 34-year-old Danish rider, who nearly ended his career after fracturing his pelvis and rupturing ligaments in a crash during the 2022 Tour de France, powered clear from a breakaway with just over a kilometer to go. His final sprint left him gasping for air at the line, where he collapsed—only to pull out a green Pokémon charm, a gift from his son, and declare, *”That’s for my son.”*
“I missed this on my résumé—my career has been pretty good, but I needed this Grand Tour stage win. I’m really happy.”
—Michael Valgren, via BBC Sport
The charm, built by his son in EF’s team colors, became the centerpiece of his celebration. Valgren’s victory was all the more poignant given his history: he had high hopes for this Giro after missing out last year due to injury. His emotional reaction—collapsing to the ground, clutching the charm—captured the moment’s significance. Team physicians later revealed Valgren had been battling severe hip pain during the stage, a condition that worsened post-race.
Behind the scenes, Valgren’s win also carried personal weight. He and Jonas Vingegaard, his fellow Dane and current Giro leader, share a decades-long bond. As Valgren told Cyclingnews, *”I wouldn’t say Jonas and I are close, but somehow we are, because I have known him since he was a little kid. We’ve been on family vacations together in France. When we raced as kids, we went to races with his mom and dad and my mum and dad.”* Their friendship, forged in Danish cycling’s youth ranks, adds a layer of warmth to the rivalry between their teams.
Vingegaard, who finished comfortably in the peloton (+1:02), later revealed how Valgren’s win affected him: *”During the stage, I asked about the situation up front via the team radio and when I heard Michael won the stage, it made me really happy,”* he said in a post-stage interview with VeloNews. The two riders’ dynamic—competitors on the road, friends off it—highlights the unique camaraderie in Danish cycling.
Valgren’s stage win also had immediate implications for the Giro’s standings. His victory moved him into 11th place in the general classification, just outside the top 10. His withdrawal now leaves EF with no riders in the top 20, a rare scenario for a team that entered the race as a contender. The decision underscores the team’s prioritization of the Tour de France, where Valgren’s freshness will be critical for Vingegaard’s title defense.
The Giro’s Final Stages: What Changes Without Valgren and Shaw?
The withdrawal of Valgren and Shaw doesn’t just alter EF’s role—it reshapes the race’s final act. With no Danish rider left in the top 10 of the general classification, the focus shifts to Vingegaard’s dominance and the battle for second place between Felix Gall (Astana Qazaqstan Team, +0:28) and Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers, +0:35). The remaining stages—two brutal mountain days followed by a celebratory lap of Rome—will now be fought without EF’s two most experienced climbers.
Stage 19, the queen stage, features two Category 1 climbs—Passo Brocon (1,706m) and Passo del Brocon—with a cumulative elevation gain of 5,000 meters. Without Valgren and Shaw, EF’s support for Vingegaard will be limited, potentially leaving him more exposed to attacks from Gall or Arensman. The stage’s finish at Lago di Carezza, a scenic but technical descent, could favor aggressive riders like Arensman, who has shown strong form in recent mountain stages.
For EF, the move is a gamble. The team has no rider in the top 20 of the GC, and their best-placed finisher, Marcel Beloki (23rd, +12:45), lacks the climbing prowess to challenge for podium spots in the final stages. The absence of Valgren and Shaw also removes EF’s ability to influence the race tactically, particularly in breakaways or late attacks. However, the decision aligns with a growing trend in Grand Tours: teams increasingly prioritize Tour de France preparation over Giro commitments, especially when riders are already fatigued.
The optics, however, are tricky. Pulling out of a Grand Tour without injury or illness so late in the race is rare and could draw criticism. As Cyclingnews noted, such moves are usually reserved for sprinters abandoning flat stages—but Valgren and Shaw are climbers, and their withdrawal comes just days before the race’s finale. EF’s statement addressed this head-on: *”We have enormous respect for the Giro, and will keep fighting all the way to Rome,”* they said. The phrasing suggests the team is aware of the potential backlash and is attempting to soften the blow by emphasizing their commitment to the race’s remaining stages.
League context adds further complexity: The Giro’s final stages will now be dominated by Ineos Grenadiers, Astana Qazaqstan, and Jumbo-Visma, who have the depth to challenge for podium spots. Vingegaard’s lead remains comfortable, but the battle for second place between Gall and Arensman could tighten. The two mountain stages—both featuring brutal climbs—will determine whether the podium remains unchanged or if a late surge reshapes the race.
What Happens Next: The Tour de France and Beyond
The real story may not be the Giro’s conclusion but what comes next. Valgren and Shaw are both expected to start the Tour de France in July, where their freshness could be critical. For Valgren, the stage win in Andalo adds to his resume ahead of the Tour, where he’ll be a key domestique for Vingegaard—or potentially a contender in his own right. His hip condition, however, remains a concern, and team physicians will monitor his recovery closely in the coming weeks.
Shaw’s role is equally important. As a versatile climber and domestique, he has been instrumental in EF’s support work this season, particularly for Valgren and Vingegaard. His withdrawal from the Giro ensures he arrives in France ready to help the team’s leaders. The Tour de France, with its grueling mountain stages, will test EF’s depth—but with Valgren and Shaw now rested, the team’s chances of success improve.
For the Giro, the absence of Valgren and Shaw means the final stages will be dominated by other teams. Vingegaard’s lead remains comfortable, but the battle for second place between Gall and Arensman could tighten. The two mountain stages—both featuring brutal climbs—will determine whether the podium remains unchanged or if a late surge reshapes the race.
One wildcard remains: Davide Piganzoli, Vingegaard’s teammate and a rising star in the best young riders competition. With two hard stages ahead, Piganzoli could still win the white jersey in Rome, adding another layer of intrigue to the finale. His performance in the final stages will be closely watched, as he could emerge as a key rider for EF in the Tour de France.
EF’s decision also has implications for the team’s roster rules and contract status. Valgren and Shaw are both under contract with EF until at least 2026, and their withdrawal from the Giro does not affect their Tour de France commitments. However, the team’s focus on the Tour has raised questions about their long-term strategy, particularly given the high stakes of the 2026 edition, which will feature a revised route and potentially tougher competition.
The Bigger Picture: Grand Tours and the Race for the Tour
EF’s decision reflects a broader trend in professional cycling: Grand Tours are increasingly seen as stepping stones to the Tour de France. Teams prioritize their best riders for July’s race, even if it means sacrificing Giro commitments. This season, multiple riders have abandoned the Giro early to rest for the Tour, including sprinters who no longer have a role in the mountains.
For Valgren, the stage win in Andalo was a career highlight—but his future lies in the Tour. The Giro, while prestigious, is now secondary to the race that crowns the world champion. EF’s move underscores this reality: in 2026, the Tour de France is the ultimate prize, and teams will do whatever it takes to ensure their riders arrive in peak form.
The Giro’s final stages will be fought without Valgren and Shaw, but their absence may prove to be a shrewd tactical decision. If EF’s riders arrive in France fresh, the team’s chances of success in July could be significantly improved. For now, the focus shifts to Rome—and the question of whether the Giro’s final podium will be decided without Denmark’s two most experienced climbers.
The next three days will tell the story: Can Vingegaard extend his lead? Will Gall or Arensman mount a late challenge? And most importantly—will EF’s gamble pay off when the Tour de France begins in July?
League context adds further urgency: The Tour de France begins July 6, and EF’s decision aligns with the team’s long-term strategy to maximize Valgren and Shaw’s fitness for the race. With Vingegaard aiming for a Giro-Tour double, the stakes could not be higher. The team’s ability to balance Giro commitments with Tour preparation will be a key factor in their success in the coming months.
For Valgren, the stage win in Andalo was a career-defining moment, but his focus now shifts to the Tour. His hip condition remains a concern, and team physicians will monitor his recovery closely in the coming weeks. If he can stay healthy, he could play a crucial role in EF’s Tour campaign, either as a domestique for Vingegaard or as a contender in his own right.
Shaw’s withdrawal from the Giro ensures he arrives in France fresh, ready to support Valgren and other team leaders. His versatility as a climber and domestique makes him a valuable asset for EF in the Tour’s mountain stages.
The Giro’s final stages will be dominated by Ineos Grenadiers, Astana Qazaqstan, and Jumbo-Visma, who have the depth to challenge for podium spots. Vingegaard’s lead remains comfortable, but the battle for second place between Gall and Arensman could tighten in the final mountain stages.
One wildcard remains: Davide Piganzoli, Vingegaard’s teammate and a rising star in the best young riders competition. With two hard stages ahead, Piganzoli could still win the white jersey in Rome, adding another layer of intrigue to the finale. His performance in the final stages will be closely watched, as he could emerge as a key rider for EF in the Tour de France.
The next three days will determine the Giro’s final podium, but the real story may unfold in July. EF’s decision to withdraw Valgren and Shaw reflects the high stakes of the Tour de France and the lengths teams will go to maximize their riders’ fitness for the race that matters most.
