G IRO ROSA
Stage races in the WWT are limited by the UCI to an average of 140km per stage, and to only seven days, unless for rare exceptions. It used to be that we had three ‘Grand Tours’ of 10 days for women: the women’s Tour de France, the Tour de l’Aude, which both stopped last decade, and the only one remaining, the women’s Giro d’Italia.
It’s not only the biggest stage race to win, but the flat stages are one of the main season goals for the sprinters, while the climbers all look forward to the real mountain stages, which are still lacking in the women’s calendar. But because of the in-race bonus seconds, Classics-style stages and the time trial, there’s no guarantee that the top climber will win, so the GC battle goes on right up to the end. And just as in the men’s Grand Tours, one bad day can lose the race, no matter how well riders have been doing.
Riders also have to manage some unique frustrations - long transfers, surprise climbs or 20km sections not in the roadbook - but it’s a very special race, with a uniquely Italian atmosphere, and the crowds and fans are passionate and knowledgeable.