Nine stages, over 1150 kilometres - and a finale that could turn everything upside down: The moment of truth awaits at the Giro d'Italia Women 2026 with the Colle delle Finestre. Who will beat the competition, who will lose pink - and who will surprise everyone?
The 37th edition of the women's Tour of Italy will take place from 30 May to 7 June. The event, which was long known as the Giro Donne, has officially been known as the Giro d'Italia Women since it was taken over by RCS - the organiser of the men's Giro d'Italia. The route for 2026 was presented on 1 December in Rome, together with the presentation of the men's race. Compared to last year, the programme has grown significantly: the additional 9th stage increases the total distance to over 1000 kilometres. After 919.2 kilometres in 2025, around 234 kilometres will be added in 2026, making the race a total of 1153.7 kilometres. At the same time, the elevation profile will be less demanding - with around 1,800 fewer metres in altitude, the cumulative climbs will be 12,500 metres.
The individual stages in detail
The women's Tour of Italy begins in Cesenatico with two flat stages for the sprinters. The first stage is completely flat, the finale is ridden twice on a 23 kilometre circuit. After opening the season with three out of three sprint wins at the UAE Tour, Lorena Wiebes is the absolute favourite to win the stage, but will have to hold her own against Elisa Balsamo, among others. The second stage also ends in a sprint, with the only small climb 88 kilometres from the finish. If everything goes according to plan for the SD Worx - Protime team, Wiebes should also have the best cards here.
First chances for a breakaway and mountain time trial
The third stage begins flat, followed by several short ramps from the halfway point. The last categorised climb is 18 kilometres before the finish and offers riders such as world champion Magdeleine Vallieres and Cat Ferguson the chance of a breakaway victory. The mountain time trial on day four starts with a one kilometre descent before the climb begins. After 3.5 kilometres at 2.9 per cent, a section of almost four kilometres follows with an average gradient of 10.3 per cent and 14 per cent at the top. Towards the finish, another kicker awaits, which will create the first gaps in the overall classification. Here, for the first time in this Tour of Italy, the contenders for victory are in demand. Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini are the favourites here.
Dolomites and Queen's Stage
The fifth stage leads over four categorised climbs in the Dolomites. The Passo Tre Croci and the Passo di Sant'Antonio are followed by two laps with the Costalissoio climb, the finish line is on the descent. Here Vollering and Longo Borghini can set the tone after the time trial. After a flat sprint stage on day six, the seventh stage follows with two third-category mountain classifications, whereby various scenarios are possible. Both an exchange of blows between the favourites for overall victory and a race within the race are possible. If a breakaway group gets a big lead early on, strong riders could save it to the finish. Magdeleine Vallieres or Cat Ferguson would certainly be able to do this. With a view to the following stage, it could be advisable for the overall classification riders to save some energy here.
The eighth stage over the Colle delle Finestre is the queen's stage. 18 kilometres on a 9 per cent gradient, half of it on gravel, decide the race. After a short descent, the mountain finish awaits in Sestriere. Clearly a section for Vollering and Longo Borghini, who will try to ride the climb with as many helpers as possible. The teams will play a decisive role here. The ninth and final stage leads over the Montoso after 46 kilometres, followed by the Colletta di Paesana and the Colletta di Brondello. After the probable decision of the stage race the day before, the leading rider in particular will have to remain on alert if the lead is not already several minutes. This final stage of the Giro d'Italia Women 2026 is no walk in the park. This is another reason why breakaways are likely to have a hard time, but a breakaway is not impossible. From the Colletta di Brondello, the route leads downhill to the finish in Saluzzo, where the new winner of the Tour of Italy will be crowned.
Leon Weidner
Working student
