Giro d'Italia Women - Stage 2: Balsamo sprints to victory in the pink jersey

On the second stage of the Giro d'Italia 2026, the riders faced a hot day with temperatures of over 30 degrees. However, the 146-kilometre section between Roncade and Caorle did not present any topographical challenges, meaning that the expected mass arrival took place.

In the end, Elia Balsamo (Lidl - Trek) secured victory in the sprint. The day before, the Italian had taken second place in the sprint, but after being disqualified due to a wheel that is too light Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx - Protime) was awarded the victory and the pink jersey. Wiebes was taken out of the race.

Now Balsamo showed that she can also win a regular sprint stage. Wearing the pink jersey, Balsamo was the first rider in the centre of the sprint and prevailed in a close decision against Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) and Chiara Consonni (CANYON//SRAM). Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) took fourth place.

Thanks to the time credit, Balsamo extended her overall lead.

Giro d'Italia Women 2026 - Results of the 2nd stage

How the 2nd stage of the Giro d'Italia Women 2026 went

The day's escape group of Eleonora La Bella (Aromitalia Vaiano), Elisa De Vallier and Sara Luccon (both Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) formed early on. The chase group briefly included Fariba Hashimi (Vini Fantini - BePink), Giorgia Serena (Team Mendelspeck E-Work) and Josie Nelson (Team Picnic PostNL), who chased the leading trio for around 50 kilometres but were never able to close the gap.

Meanwhile, La Bella, De Vallier and Luccon were granted a lead of over six minutes. On the only climb of the day, the Muro di Ca' del Poggio (category 4), La Bella secured the three points and took the lead in the mountain classification.

With 60 kilometres to go, however, the lead of the three breakaway riders shrank rapidly to two minutes. In the peloton, Lidl-Trek and Movistar endeavoured to lead the way. Nevertheless, the peloton let the leading group go until eleven kilometres before the finish. Everything then came down to a sprint decision.