{"id":1954173,"date":"2026-05-25T07:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T04:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1954173"},"modified":"2026-05-25T07:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T04:15:00","slug":"demi-vollering-and-elisa-longo-borghini-set-to-do-battle-but-super-strong-rivals-could-surprise-them-analysing-the-contenders-for-the-giro-ditalia-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1954173","title":{"rendered":"Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1920-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGiro d&#8217;Italia Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline font-ui-heading text-[12px]\">\n<div><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-05-25T07:15:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 May 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Two names headline our list, but this year&#8217;s strong Giro field could see one of the most exciting GC battles in recent memory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit))] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-[var(--image--text--color)] font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Some of the riders who will be in contention for pink<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"0\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid xl:hidden\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Marlen Reusser<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Anna van der Breggen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Bunel &amp; Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Niewiadoma-Phinney &amp; Niedermaier<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Fisher-Black &amp; Holmgren<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Gigante &amp; \u017digart<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Monica Trinca Colonel<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Honorable mentions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f5cba136-c434-4afa-8b32-580dc60bfbeb\">The Spanish stage racing block has only just wrapped up, but the Women&#8217;s WorldTour quickly resumes with the second biggest stage race of the year, the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, which starts Saturday, May 30 and continues through to Sunday, June 7.<\/p>\n<p>This year, the nine-stage Giro has moved from July to June, finally put an end to its unfortunate clash with the men&#8217;s Tour de France, and instead tacking onto the end of the men&#8217;s Giro to make a four-week festival of Italian Grand Tour racing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f5cba136-c434-4afa-8b32-580dc60bfbeb-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As well as making for better timing for viewers and hopefully allowing for more attention on the women&#8217;s Giro, the move has opened up the Corsa Rosa to more riders. Previously, the short gap between the Giro and the Tour de France Femmes discouraged most riders from targeting both, but this year, it&#8217;s perfectly possible for riders to peak for both.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s for this reason that we&#8217;re going to see women&#8217;s cycling&#8217;s biggest star, Demi Vollering, back in action at the Giro for the first time in half a decade, and hoping to complete her Grand Tour set by winning the famous maglia rosa. But with three-time champion Elisa Longo Borghini in action, as well as a supremely strong field of GC contenders including Marion Bunel, Marlen Reusser and Anna van der Breggen, this won&#8217;t be an easy victory for Vollering \u2013 in fact, the race looks primed for one of its biggest GC battles in recent history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia Women route is also set to be one of the toughest yet, headlined by a huge, iconic climb: the Colle delle Finestre. Coming on stage 8, the race will complete the same finale as the 2025 men&#8217;s Giro, riding over the Colle delle Finestre, including its gravel peak, and then finishing at Sestriere. Never raced in the women&#8217;s Giro before, this will be a big moment for the race, and the decisive day of the GC battle.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We&#8217;ll bring you our analysis of the other key stages of this year&#8217;s Giro Women on Tuesday, but first, we&#8217;re kicking off our pre-race coverage with the riders who will be fighting for pink. Here are our picks for this year&#8217;s Giro GC contenders.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-fdj-united-suez\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-306cfedf-9bb5-431b-bd04-474c73ccd873\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vollering&#8217;s last outing was winning Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7d45cd16-a6d9-46b5-8bc0-4dd76f46b2b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Demi Vollering has not ridden the Giro d&#8217;Italia since 2021, and only twice in her career, but despite her five-year absence from this race, Vollering will return to Italy as a huge favourite for the pink jersey this year. Usually skipping the Giro due to its proximity with the Tour, the peloton&#8217;s pre-eminent GC rider has won practically every other stage race on the calendar, including the Tour and two Vueltas, and has a chance to add the pink jersey to her trophy cabinet this year. She made it clear that this would be a big goal in 2026, and if her results so far are anything to go off \u2013 seven wins from 11 race days \u2013 she&#8217;s coming to this race in very good form and with very high motivation.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last time Vollering rode the Giro in 2021 she finished third overall, behind winning teammate at the time Anna van der Breggen, and there&#8217;s little reason to think that she won&#8217;t be the best climber in this year&#8217;s race, training at altitude specifically for this block. Without her big yellow jersey rival Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot in Italy, Vollering will be seeing this as an opportunity to take a big Grand Tour win, and show her strength before the Tour, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her support team isn&#8217;t quite as stacked as it will be in August, with superdomestiques Juliette Berthet and \u00c9vita Muzic sitting the Giro out after racing for their own results over the Spanish block, but she can still count on really strong FDJ riders like Elise Chabbey, Amber Kraak and Lauren Dickson. The French team has been fantastic already this year, and could take a massive overall win at the Giro.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-uae-team-adq\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-190a43a7-9387-4d98-a7ea-7cf79e75ae94\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Longo Borghini returns as defending champion <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b5a8b07c-f01f-4741-96f1-0b4d57eaceb9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Elisa Longo Borghini has come to dominate the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women in recent years, almost in the vein of Annemiek van Vleuten and Anna van der Breggen, and she returns this year chasing her fourth overall title. She&#8217;s had a slightly disrupted 2026 so far, with a lingering flu ruling her out of Milan-San Remo and affecting her Classics performances. She skipped the Ardennes and the Spanish block, meaning she hasn&#8217;t race since Flanders, so she will start the Giro as slightly an unknown quantity.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can Vollering make it three in Li\u00e8ge? Analysing the contenders at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">A GC battle featuring one top dog, a few challengers and a whole load of hopefuls \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, the lack of racing is hardly the concern it used to be, with GC riders tending much more towards training and altitude camps ahead of big goals, and that&#8217;s what Longo Borghini has been doing, training on Teide. Though she will undoubtedly arrive as a big favourite, this year&#8217;s course might be the hardest Longo Borghini has faced, given the size of the climbing challenge on the Colle delle Finestre. What&#8217;s more, the Italian has often taken time in a time trial, and this year&#8217;s Giro TT is mainly uphill, so it is not quite as prime for her to make gains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And of course, she will be up against a huge challenger in Vollering. But with three pink jerseys in her trophy cabinet, and this her main goal of the season \u2013 whilst Vollering also thinks about the Tour \u2013 Longo Borghini will be hoping her Giro expertise and experience gives her an upper hand this June.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-movistar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marlen Reusser (Movistar)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cecb553e-21c3-48bc-a813-41906504ed6b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser has had a rollercoaster 2026, with two periods away with injury, but also some top results <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d18ac1de-3db5-459e-a9e7-056fa5a292f3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Marlen Reusser finished second overall at the Giro last year \u2013 nearly winning it \u2013 so obviously has to be on this list, but it&#8217;s very difficult to estimate what kind of shape she&#8217;s bringing to Italy. The Swiss rider hasn&#8217;t race since the Tour of Flanders where she crashed and suffered a fractured vertebra, thus missing what was due to be her biggest goal of the spring, the Vuelta Femenina. However, she&#8217;s been back training recently and is on Movistar&#8217;s provisional start list for the Giro, so we&#8217;re expecting to see her back.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With so little racing under her belt recently \u2013 we&#8217;re not sure what her training has looked like either \u2013 Reusser has probably had to adjust her expectations for the Giro, and coming straight back to the podium is almost certainly too big of an ask, but will she be just getting back to a good level, or challenging for the top 10? Will she even make it through the week? How is her back? These questions are all difficult to answer right now, and perhaps she doesn&#8217;t even have answers herself, so the truth is we&#8217;ll have to see. It does seem unlikely that she&#8217;ll be part of the big Longo Borghini vs Vollering battle that we&#8217;re expecting, but Reusser is super strong, so if she&#8217;s feeling good, she could still take a good solid overall result.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-anna-van-der-breggen-sd-worx-protime\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cf0cf869-6f59-44d4-b687-947f7573123d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Briefly leading the Vuelta showed that Van der Breggen is still capable of her previous GC exploits <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a1769f80-5974-4f08-a8c3-db87743a22a7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Anna van der Breggen won the Giro d&#8217;Italia four times when she was at her peak, and though she hasn&#8217;t quite returned to that level since coming back from a brief retirement, she is still one of the best climbers in the bunch, especially when it comes to the really high mountains. She proved that at La Vuelta, winning atop Las Praeres and coming fifth on the Angliru to claim second overall. It feels like she&#8217;s coming into this Giro with her best GC form since her return to racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It will be a really big challenge for her to match Vollering and Longo Borghini, and the general level of the peloton definitely has gone up since she was dominating the Giro, but her previous success in this race will count for a lot. She won&#8217;t be intimdated by the challenges that lie ahead, nor the high mountain of the Finestre. The overall win might be a big ask, but Van der Breggen should certainly be hoping to win a stage and aim at the final podium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marion-bunel-and-viktoria-chladonova-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marion Bunel and Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9d7dd8d-4466-4e1e-b3c0-a29fd99bbad5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bunel impressed at the Vuelta <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2d400ff7-d447-4fdf-b2b7-247b83f8ce1e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike are sending an insanely strong team to the Giro, even without Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, and they have at least three riders who could aim for the top 10. Marion Bunel, third overall at the Vuelta, will probably be their designated leader, and the Frenchwoman is coming into the GC shape she&#8217;s been promising for a long time. She also has a really big weapon in her arsenal in that she won the stage and the overall of the Tour de l&#8217;Avenir when it finished atop the Colle delle Finestre, so we know the race&#8217;s decisive climb suits her, and she knows what it&#8217;s like to race it. After her Vuelta podium, she&#8217;ll be dreaming of matching that here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But she&#8217;s not Visma&#8217;s only option. Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 has had a quiet start to this year after a very impressive 2025, but is really growing as an elite rider and climber. At only 18, she finished 16th overall at the Giro already last year, and can certainly aim for similar this year, if freedom allows. And thirdly, Visma can look to Femke de Vries, the 32-year-old who has been extremely strong on the climbs this year, and could be a back-up GC leader or luxury domestique. Whichever role each rider plays, Visma have a lot of cards for this Giro and should hope to finish on the final podium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kasia-niewiadoma-phinney-and-antonia-niedermaier-canyon-sram-zondacrypto\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9bed918b-93e6-46a0-9fb1-42b8e36f67cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Antonia Niedermaier has had a strong May <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-6486858e-8508-400c-81e2-31692d4e659c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Like Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is a rider who wouldn&#8217;t usually do the Giro, on account of its proximity to the Tour, but is expected to line up this year thanks to the date change. As a former Tour winner, it may be surprising to have Niewiadoma-Phinney this far down this list, but that&#8217;s because the Giro is likely going to be more of another training race for her bigger goal coming in August. The Polish rider was OK at the Vuelta, but not really flying, and has always been clear that the Tour is the most important stage race for her. That all said, it&#8217;s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, and she&#8217;s coming off a fantastic spring, so she can never be counted out \u2013 even when she&#8217;s not fully targeting a race, she can still finish in the top 10.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A Canyon-SRAM rider who will likely be more locked in to the Giro specifically is former stage winner Antonia Niedermaier, who finished sixth overall in 2024 and fifth overall last year. Still only 23, Niedermaier is a massively talented GC rider who obviously thrives at this race, so though Niewiadoma-Phinney&#8217;s name might make the headlines at first, the German is possibly the better contender for a top-five finish, and her recent results suggest she&#8217;s in really good form.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-niamh-fisher-black-and-isabella-holmgren-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Niamh Fisher-Black and Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-67741a39-8a5e-4719-bf0f-9ebc753024bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Niamh Fisher-Black has surely been targetting the Giro this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-68afc88f-265f-44dc-8757-0613a107af5f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Niamh Fisher-Black skipped the Spanish block so hasn&#8217;t been in action since the Ardennes, but will return with a bang at the Giro, a race that&#8217;s often treated her well. The Kiwi rider won on a mountaintop finish in 2024, and has regularly shone here, even when riding as a support rider. She should get the chance to lead Lidl-Trek this year, and will be hoping to put together a strong week for a good overall finish. As a pure climber, the climbing-heavy course will surely suit her.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, Lidl-Trek have another rising star in their team for Italy in Isabella Holmgren, last year&#8217;s Tour de l&#8217;Avenir winner, and the rider who finished second behind Bunel on the Finestre stage of the 2024 race. So like her French peer, this is another rider who has rare in-race experience of the Giro&#8217;s most pivotal mountain, and indeed success there, so she could be a real threat on that stage. The Canadian talent has had a light but very strong racing campaign so far this year, with two top 10s in the Ardennes, and it&#8217;s likely that the Giro is one of her biggest goals for the season, so don&#8217;t be surprised to see her doing well.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-sarah-gigante-and-urska-zigart-ag-insurance-soudal\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Sarah Gigante and Ur\u0161ka \u017digart (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c81da740-9bb5-4d53-a5b1-dab67515503a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gigante had a fantastic Giro in 2025 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1eb91a19-5152-464d-9f75-a8fecbc3bccf\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">AG Insurance-Soudal are another team that head to the Giro with a lot of options, though perhaps not one really obvious top contenders. Sarah Gigante had a great summer last year, but then faced another bout of bad luck when she broke her femur in training, so we&#8217;re yet to see her race in 2026, but the Giro has long been pinned as her big return. It&#8217;s no surprise that this is the race she&#8217;s coming back at, given she won the two hardest stages last year to finish third overall, her best Grand Tour yet, but she will come to this race as a bit of an unknown quantity after so much time off. She was reconning stages as early as March, though, so this is clearly a very big goal, and it would be fantastic to see her come back to her highs of last summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If Gigante needs a bit more time to get into race rhythm, AG Insurance can look to Ur\u0161ka \u017digart as another very worthy GC option, and her pure climbing abilities should come to the fore particularly on the Colle delle Finestre. She was sixth overall at the Vuelta after looking really good on the Angliru, so should be aiming at another top 10 here. Both her and Gigante have a strong support squad too, with Justine Ghekiere and Lore De Schepper both excellent climbing domestiques. It just remains to be seen who emerges as the team&#8217;s leader.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-monica-trinca-colonel-liv-alula-jayco\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2829d591-98d5-4fa9-8612-6c42deeef1b7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Monica Trinca Colonel will be hoping for success on home roads <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bbdfcc50-30d9-4e0d-bc13-19ad891324c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Monica Trinca Colonel is somehow still quite underrated as a GC rider, but the Liv AlUla Jayco rider has proven herself on multiple occasions now, highlighted by winning the demanding Tour de l&#8217;Ard\u00e8che last year. After shining in the Giro in 2024 \u2013 probably earning herself a transfer from an Italian Continental team to the WorldTour in the process \u2013 Trinca Colonel had an unfortunate DNF last year, but will return to lead the Aussie team at her home race. She&#8217;s coming off the back of sevent overall at the Vuelta, so is clearly in good form, and should be even more motivated on home roads, so will be a contender for the top 10 if not top five.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-honorable-mentions\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Honorable mentions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-16d13767-4063-4dc8-a5d4-006c5c6b77ed\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion <strong>Magdeleine Vallieres <\/strong>(EF Education-Oatly) isn&#8217;t really a GC rider as such, but is in really good form at the moment and could definitely be challenging for pink early on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was slightly overshadowed by her teammate&#8217;s victory atop the Angliru, but <strong>Barbara Malcotti<\/strong> (Human Powered Health) had a super strong Vuelta Femenina, finishing ninth overall and will lead the team&#8217;s GC ambitions in her home Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset<\/strong> (Uno-X Mobility) is an underrated but talented climber who will be aiming for a top 20 on GC.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> for unlimited access to our Giro d&#8217;Italia Women coverage. Don&#8217;t miss any of the breaking news, reports, and analysis from one of the biggest women&#8217;s stage races of the season. <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can Vollering make it three in Li\u00e8ge? Analysing the contenders at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A GC battle featuring one top dog, a few challengers and a whole load of hopefuls \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018Capable of shaping our sport for many years to come\u2019 &#8211; Emerging superstar C\u00e9lia Gery extends contract with FDJ United-SUEZ<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That crash scared me&#8217; \u2013 Evie Richards resting up after hard fall at Nov\u00e9 M\u011bsto Mountain Bike World Cup<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Usoa Ostolaza climbs onto Vuelta a Burgos F\u00e9minas podium with comeback ride up Lagunas de Neila climb<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">USA Crits: Marlies Mejias and Bryan Gomez sprint to victory at Streets of Fire Criterium to open final weekend of racing in Winston-Salem<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Antwerp Port Epic Ladies: Femke Markus solos to victory in SD Worx-Protime podium sweep<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s cycling (races)<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Burgos F\u00e9minas: last-minute mountain attack nets Yara Kastelijn summit finish win and overall victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Burgos Feminas contenders &#8211; \u00c9vita Muzic a potential favourite but GC likely to be open and exciting with lack of big names <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">An open field vies for glory in the sharp hills of the Basque Country \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Itzulia Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard the clear frontrunner, but who will emerge as his biggest challenger? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can Karolina Migo\u0144, Tobias Kongstad and Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e defend and who will step into the void in the men&#8217;s 200? \u2013 Analysing contenders at The Traka<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar the clear favourite at his first stage race of the year \u2013 Analysing the Tour de Romandie contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s tough riding GC and trying to stay switched on&#8217; &#8211; Thymen Arensman opens up about pressure and performance ahead of the final week at the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The Giro is not over&#8217; &#8211; Jonas Vingegaard cautious but in control as he looks to secure Giro d&#8217;Italia maglia rosa in Rome<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\u2018Capable of shaping our sport for many years to come\u2019 &#8211; Emerging superstar C\u00e9lia Gery extends contract with FDJ United-SUEZ<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Expulsion and fine for sprinter Enrico Zanoncello after headbutt in Giro d\u2019Italia stage 15 finale<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;6 W\/kg all day&#8217; &#8211; Tim Rex&#8217;s &#8216;pain face&#8217; captures domestique going above and beyond to help Jonas Vingegaard claim Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s maglia rosa on Pila<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGiro d&#8217;Italia Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline font-ui-heading text-[12px]\">\n<div><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-05-25T07:15:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 May 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Two names headline our list, but this year&#8217;s strong Giro field could see one of the most exciting GC battles in recent memory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit))] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-[var(--image--text--color)] font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Some of the riders who will be in contention for pink<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"0\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid xl:hidden\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Marlen Reusser<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Anna van der Breggen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Bunel &amp; Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Niewiadoma-Phinney &amp; Niedermaier<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Fisher-Black &amp; Holmgren<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Gigante &amp; \u017digart<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Monica Trinca Colonel<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Honorable mentions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 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conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f5cba136-c434-4afa-8b32-580dc60bfbeb\">The Spanish stage racing block has only just wrapped up, but the Women&#8217;s WorldTour quickly resumes with the second biggest stage race of the year, the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, which starts Saturday, May 30 and continues through to Sunday, June 7.<\/p>\n<p>This year, the nine-stage Giro has moved from July to June, finally put an end to its unfortunate clash with the men&#8217;s Tour de France, and instead tacking onto the end of the men&#8217;s Giro to make a four-week festival of Italian Grand Tour racing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f5cba136-c434-4afa-8b32-580dc60bfbeb-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As well as making for better timing for viewers and hopefully allowing for more attention on the women&#8217;s Giro, the move has opened up the Corsa Rosa to more riders. Previously, the short gap between the Giro and the Tour de France Femmes discouraged most riders from targeting both, but this year, it&#8217;s perfectly possible for riders to peak for both.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s for this reason that we&#8217;re going to see women&#8217;s cycling&#8217;s biggest star, Demi Vollering, back in action at the Giro for the first time in half a decade, and hoping to complete her Grand Tour set by winning the famous maglia rosa. But with three-time champion Elisa Longo Borghini in action, as well as a supremely strong field of GC contenders including Marion Bunel, Marlen Reusser and Anna van der Breggen, this won&#8217;t be an easy victory for Vollering \u2013 in fact, the race looks primed for one of its biggest GC battles in recent history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia Women route is also set to be one of the toughest yet, headlined by a huge, iconic climb: the Colle delle Finestre. Coming on stage 8, the race will complete the same finale as the 2025 men&#8217;s Giro, riding over the Colle delle Finestre, including its gravel peak, and then finishing at Sestriere. Never raced in the women&#8217;s Giro before, this will be a big moment for the race, and the decisive day of the GC battle.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We&#8217;ll bring you our analysis of the other key stages of this year&#8217;s Giro Women on Tuesday, but first, we&#8217;re kicking off our pre-race coverage with the riders who will be fighting for pink. Here are our picks for this year&#8217;s Giro GC contenders.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-fdj-united-suez\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-306cfedf-9bb5-431b-bd04-474c73ccd873\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vollering&#8217;s last outing was winning Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7d45cd16-a6d9-46b5-8bc0-4dd76f46b2b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Demi Vollering has not ridden the Giro d&#8217;Italia since 2021, and only twice in her career, but despite her five-year absence from this race, Vollering will return to Italy as a huge favourite for the pink jersey this year. Usually skipping the Giro due to its proximity with the Tour, the peloton&#8217;s pre-eminent GC rider has won practically every other stage race on the calendar, including the Tour and two Vueltas, and has a chance to add the pink jersey to her trophy cabinet this year. She made it clear that this would be a big goal in 2026, and if her results so far are anything to go off \u2013 seven wins from 11 race days \u2013 she&#8217;s coming to this race in very good form and with very high motivation.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last time Vollering rode the Giro in 2021 she finished third overall, behind winning teammate at the time Anna van der Breggen, and there&#8217;s little reason to think that she won&#8217;t be the best climber in this year&#8217;s race, training at altitude specifically for this block. Without her big yellow jersey rival Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot in Italy, Vollering will be seeing this as an opportunity to take a big Grand Tour win, and show her strength before the Tour, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her support team isn&#8217;t quite as stacked as it will be in August, with superdomestiques Juliette Berthet and \u00c9vita Muzic sitting the Giro out after racing for their own results over the Spanish block, but she can still count on really strong FDJ riders like Elise Chabbey, Amber Kraak and Lauren Dickson. The French team has been fantastic already this year, and could take a massive overall win at the Giro.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-uae-team-adq\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-190a43a7-9387-4d98-a7ea-7cf79e75ae94\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Longo Borghini returns as defending champion <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b5a8b07c-f01f-4741-96f1-0b4d57eaceb9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Elisa Longo Borghini has come to dominate the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women in recent years, almost in the vein of Annemiek van Vleuten and Anna van der Breggen, and she returns this year chasing her fourth overall title. She&#8217;s had a slightly disrupted 2026 so far, with a lingering flu ruling her out of Milan-San Remo and affecting her Classics performances. She skipped the Ardennes and the Spanish block, meaning she hasn&#8217;t race since Flanders, so she will start the Giro as slightly an unknown quantity.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can Vollering make it three in Li\u00e8ge? Analysing the contenders at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">A GC battle featuring one top dog, a few challengers and a whole load of hopefuls \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, the lack of racing is hardly the concern it used to be, with GC riders tending much more towards training and altitude camps ahead of big goals, and that&#8217;s what Longo Borghini has been doing, training on Teide. Though she will undoubtedly arrive as a big favourite, this year&#8217;s course might be the hardest Longo Borghini has faced, given the size of the climbing challenge on the Colle delle Finestre. What&#8217;s more, the Italian has often taken time in a time trial, and this year&#8217;s Giro TT is mainly uphill, so it is not quite as prime for her to make gains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And of course, she will be up against a huge challenger in Vollering. But with three pink jerseys in her trophy cabinet, and this her main goal of the season \u2013 whilst Vollering also thinks about the Tour \u2013 Longo Borghini will be hoping her Giro expertise and experience gives her an upper hand this June.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-movistar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marlen Reusser (Movistar)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cecb553e-21c3-48bc-a813-41906504ed6b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser has had a rollercoaster 2026, with two periods away with injury, but also some top results <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d18ac1de-3db5-459e-a9e7-056fa5a292f3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Marlen Reusser finished second overall at the Giro last year \u2013 nearly winning it \u2013 so obviously has to be on this list, but it&#8217;s very difficult to estimate what kind of shape she&#8217;s bringing to Italy. The Swiss rider hasn&#8217;t race since the Tour of Flanders where she crashed and suffered a fractured vertebra, thus missing what was due to be her biggest goal of the spring, the Vuelta Femenina. However, she&#8217;s been back training recently and is on Movistar&#8217;s provisional start list for the Giro, so we&#8217;re expecting to see her back.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With so little racing under her belt recently \u2013 we&#8217;re not sure what her training has looked like either \u2013 Reusser has probably had to adjust her expectations for the Giro, and coming straight back to the podium is almost certainly too big of an ask, but will she be just getting back to a good level, or challenging for the top 10? Will she even make it through the week? How is her back? These questions are all difficult to answer right now, and perhaps she doesn&#8217;t even have answers herself, so the truth is we&#8217;ll have to see. It does seem unlikely that she&#8217;ll be part of the big Longo Borghini vs Vollering battle that we&#8217;re expecting, but Reusser is super strong, so if she&#8217;s feeling good, she could still take a good solid overall result.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-anna-van-der-breggen-sd-worx-protime\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cf0cf869-6f59-44d4-b687-947f7573123d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Briefly leading the Vuelta showed that Van der Breggen is still capable of her previous GC exploits <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a1769f80-5974-4f08-a8c3-db87743a22a7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Anna van der Breggen won the Giro d&#8217;Italia four times when she was at her peak, and though she hasn&#8217;t quite returned to that level since coming back from a brief retirement, she is still one of the best climbers in the bunch, especially when it comes to the really high mountains. She proved that at La Vuelta, winning atop Las Praeres and coming fifth on the Angliru to claim second overall. It feels like she&#8217;s coming into this Giro with her best GC form since her return to racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It will be a really big challenge for her to match Vollering and Longo Borghini, and the general level of the peloton definitely has gone up since she was dominating the Giro, but her previous success in this race will count for a lot. She won&#8217;t be intimdated by the challenges that lie ahead, nor the high mountain of the Finestre. The overall win might be a big ask, but Van der Breggen should certainly be hoping to win a stage and aim at the final podium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marion-bunel-and-viktoria-chladonova-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marion Bunel and Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9d7dd8d-4466-4e1e-b3c0-a29fd99bbad5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bunel impressed at the Vuelta <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2d400ff7-d447-4fdf-b2b7-247b83f8ce1e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike are sending an insanely strong team to the Giro, even without Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, and they have at least three riders who could aim for the top 10. Marion Bunel, third overall at the Vuelta, will probably be their designated leader, and the Frenchwoman is coming into the GC shape she&#8217;s been promising for a long time. She also has a really big weapon in her arsenal in that she won the stage and the overall of the Tour de l&#8217;Avenir when it finished atop the Colle delle Finestre, so we know the race&#8217;s decisive climb suits her, and she knows what it&#8217;s like to race it. After her Vuelta podium, she&#8217;ll be dreaming of matching that here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But she&#8217;s not Visma&#8217;s only option. Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 has had a quiet start to this year after a very impressive 2025, but is really growing as an elite rider and climber. At only 18, she finished 16th overall at the Giro already last year, and can certainly aim for similar this year, if freedom allows. And thirdly, Visma can look to Femke de Vries, the 32-year-old who has been extremely strong on the climbs this year, and could be a back-up GC leader or luxury domestique. Whichever role each rider plays, Visma have a lot of cards for this Giro and should hope to finish on the final podium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kasia-niewiadoma-phinney-and-antonia-niedermaier-canyon-sram-zondacrypto\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9bed918b-93e6-46a0-9fb1-42b8e36f67cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Antonia Niedermaier has had a strong May <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-6486858e-8508-400c-81e2-31692d4e659c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Like Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is a rider who wouldn&#8217;t usually do the Giro, on account of its proximity to the Tour, but is expected to line up this year thanks to the date change. As a former Tour winner, it may be surprising to have Niewiadoma-Phinney this far down this list, but that&#8217;s because the Giro is likely going to be more of another training race for her bigger goal coming in August. The Polish rider was OK at the Vuelta, but not really flying, and has always been clear that the Tour is the most important stage race for her. That all said, it&#8217;s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, and she&#8217;s coming off a fantastic spring, so she can never be counted out \u2013 even when she&#8217;s not fully targeting a race, she can still finish in the top 10.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A Canyon-SRAM rider who will likely be more locked in to the Giro specifically is former stage winner Antonia Niedermaier, who finished sixth overall in 2024 and fifth overall last year. Still only 23, Niedermaier is a massively talented GC rider who obviously thrives at this race, so though Niewiadoma-Phinney&#8217;s name might make the headlines at first, the German is possibly the better contender for a top-five finish, and her recent results suggest she&#8217;s in really good form.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-niamh-fisher-black-and-isabella-holmgren-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Niamh Fisher-Black and Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-67741a39-8a5e-4719-bf0f-9ebc753024bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Niamh Fisher-Black has surely been targetting the Giro this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-68afc88f-265f-44dc-8757-0613a107af5f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Niamh Fisher-Black skipped the Spanish block so hasn&#8217;t been in action since the Ardennes, but will return with a bang at the Giro, a race that&#8217;s often treated her well. The Kiwi rider won on a mountaintop finish in 2024, and has regularly shone here, even when riding as a support rider. She should get the chance to lead Lidl-Trek this year, and will be hoping to put together a strong week for a good overall finish. As a pure climber, the climbing-heavy course will surely suit her.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, Lidl-Trek have another rising star in their team for Italy in Isabella Holmgren, last year&#8217;s Tour de l&#8217;Avenir winner, and the rider who finished second behind Bunel on the Finestre stage of the 2024 race. So like her French peer, this is another rider who has rare in-race experience of the Giro&#8217;s most pivotal mountain, and indeed success there, so she could be a real threat on that stage. The Canadian talent has had a light but very strong racing campaign so far this year, with two top 10s in the Ardennes, and it&#8217;s likely that the Giro is one of her biggest goals for the season, so don&#8217;t be surprised to see her doing well.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-sarah-gigante-and-urska-zigart-ag-insurance-soudal\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Sarah Gigante and Ur\u0161ka \u017digart (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c81da740-9bb5-4d53-a5b1-dab67515503a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gigante had a fantastic Giro in 2025 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1eb91a19-5152-464d-9f75-a8fecbc3bccf\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">AG Insurance-Soudal are another team that head to the Giro with a lot of options, though perhaps not one really obvious top contenders. Sarah Gigante had a great summer last year, but then faced another bout of bad luck when she broke her femur in training, so we&#8217;re yet to see her race in 2026, but the Giro has long been pinned as her big return. It&#8217;s no surprise that this is the race she&#8217;s coming back at, given she won the two hardest stages last year to finish third overall, her best Grand Tour yet, but she will come to this race as a bit of an unknown quantity after so much time off. She was reconning stages as early as March, though, so this is clearly a very big goal, and it would be fantastic to see her come back to her highs of last summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If Gigante needs a bit more time to get into race rhythm, AG Insurance can look to Ur\u0161ka \u017digart as another very worthy GC option, and her pure climbing abilities should come to the fore particularly on the Colle delle Finestre. She was sixth overall at the Vuelta after looking really good on the Angliru, so should be aiming at another top 10 here. Both her and Gigante have a strong support squad too, with Justine Ghekiere and Lore De Schepper both excellent climbing domestiques. It just remains to be seen who emerges as the team&#8217;s leader.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-monica-trinca-colonel-liv-alula-jayco\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2829d591-98d5-4fa9-8612-6c42deeef1b7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Monica Trinca Colonel will be hoping for success on home roads <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bbdfcc50-30d9-4e0d-bc13-19ad891324c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Monica Trinca Colonel is somehow still quite underrated as a GC rider, but the Liv AlUla Jayco rider has proven herself on multiple occasions now, highlighted by winning the demanding Tour de l&#8217;Ard\u00e8che last year. After shining in the Giro in 2024 \u2013 probably earning herself a transfer from an Italian Continental team to the WorldTour in the process \u2013 Trinca Colonel had an unfortunate DNF last year, but will return to lead the Aussie team at her home race. She&#8217;s coming off the back of sevent overall at the Vuelta, so is clearly in good form, and should be even more motivated on home roads, so will be a contender for the top 10 if not top five.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-honorable-mentions\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Honorable mentions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-16d13767-4063-4dc8-a5d4-006c5c6b77ed\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion <strong>Magdeleine Vallieres <\/strong>(EF Education-Oatly) isn&#8217;t really a GC rider as such, but is in really good form at the moment and could definitely be challenging for pink early on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was slightly overshadowed by her teammate&#8217;s victory atop the Angliru, but <strong>Barbara Malcotti<\/strong> (Human Powered Health) had a super strong Vuelta Femenina, finishing ninth overall and will lead the team&#8217;s GC ambitions in her home Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset<\/strong> (Uno-X Mobility) is an underrated but talented climber who will be aiming for a top 20 on GC.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> for unlimited access to our Giro d&#8217;Italia Women coverage. Don&#8217;t miss any of the breaking news, reports, and analysis from one of the biggest women&#8217;s stage races of the season. <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can Vollering make it three in Li\u00e8ge? Analysing the contenders at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A GC battle featuring one top dog, a few challengers and a whole load of hopefuls \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YZnkKwAoZaTeMSP5eSd2JM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018Capable of shaping our sport for many years to come\u2019 &#8211; Emerging superstar C\u00e9lia Gery extends contract with FDJ United-SUEZ<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3f6pMebcUe9UtwUHYpd48V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That crash scared me&#8217; \u2013 Evie Richards resting up after hard fall at Nov\u00e9 M\u011bsto Mountain Bike World Cup<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uxWAxu3AtTKcaFXQ5YQnn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Usoa Ostolaza climbs onto Vuelta a Burgos F\u00e9minas podium with comeback ride up Lagunas de Neila climb<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vth6Ewe4WH5Zb5ngDxWJTj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">USA Crits: Marlies Mejias and Bryan Gomez sprint to victory at Streets of Fire Criterium to open final weekend of racing in Winston-Salem<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vMfALrD9R4JQCmUsTKAeJ5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Antwerp Port Epic Ladies: Femke Markus solos to victory in SD Worx-Protime podium sweep<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/znXfyXxhNPRG6MWR3JM6oD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s cycling (races)<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Burgos F\u00e9minas: last-minute mountain attack nets Yara Kastelijn summit finish win and overall victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/87cYs8CLZDz7PV7BqYu97R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vuelta a Burgos Feminas contenders &#8211; \u00c9vita Muzic a potential favourite but GC likely to be open and exciting with lack of big names <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/phao4t6HdoE3KwvL9Tvvpk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">An open field vies for glory in the sharp hills of the Basque Country \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Itzulia Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wTWEmY79e7aMFNXqmKYcWR-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard the clear frontrunner, but who will emerge as his biggest challenger? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qF447xh63VEQSuNha55Ya9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can Karolina Migo\u0144, Tobias Kongstad and Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e defend and who will step into the void in the men&#8217;s 200? \u2013 Analysing contenders at The Traka<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5ED8uRSDCzRarHo6Vp8qeK-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar the clear favourite at his first stage race of the year \u2013 Analysing the Tour de Romandie contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"!relative\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MA3E7qtSKAyLEFk9AHwDAC.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s tough riding GC and trying to stay switched on&#8217; &#8211; Thymen Arensman opens up about pressure and performance ahead of the final week at the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The Giro is not over&#8217; &#8211; Jonas Vingegaard cautious but in control as he looks to secure Giro d&#8217;Italia maglia rosa in Rome<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\u2018Capable of shaping our sport for many years to come\u2019 &#8211; Emerging superstar C\u00e9lia Gery extends contract with FDJ United-SUEZ<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Expulsion and fine for sprinter Enrico Zanoncello after headbutt in Giro d\u2019Italia stage 15 finale<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;6 W\/kg all day&#8217; &#8211; Tim Rex&#8217;s &#8216;pain face&#8217; captures domestique going above and beyond to help Jonas Vingegaard claim Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s maglia rosa on Pila<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGiro d&#8217;Italia Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline font-ui-heading text-[12px]\">\n<div><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-05-25T07:15:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 May 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Two names headline our list, but this year&#8217;s strong Giro field could see one of the most exciting GC battles in recent memory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit))] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f5cba136-c434-4afa-8b32-580dc60bfbeb\">The Spanish stage racing block has only just wrapped up, but the Women&#8217;s WorldTour quickly resumes with the second biggest stage race of the year, the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women, which starts Saturday, May 30 and continues through to Sunday, June 7.<\/p>\n<p>This year, the nine-stage Giro has moved from July to June, finally put an end to its unfortunate clash with the men&#8217;s Tour de France, and instead tacking onto the end of the men&#8217;s Giro to make a four-week festival of Italian Grand Tour racing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f5cba136-c434-4afa-8b32-580dc60bfbeb-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As well as making for better timing for viewers and hopefully allowing for more attention on the women&#8217;s Giro, the move has opened up the Corsa Rosa to more riders. Previously, the short gap between the Giro and the Tour de France Femmes discouraged most riders from targeting both, but this year, it&#8217;s perfectly possible for riders to peak for both.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6Qwro5SviMvjEWT5r6dTD4-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s for this reason that we&#8217;re going to see women&#8217;s cycling&#8217;s biggest star, Demi Vollering, back in action at the Giro for the first time in half a decade, and hoping to complete her Grand Tour set by winning the famous maglia rosa. But with three-time champion Elisa Longo Borghini in action, as well as a supremely strong field of GC contenders including Marion Bunel, Marlen Reusser and Anna van der Breggen, this won&#8217;t be an easy victory for Vollering \u2013 in fact, the race looks primed for one of its biggest GC battles in recent history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia Women route is also set to be one of the toughest yet, headlined by a huge, iconic climb: the Colle delle Finestre. Coming on stage 8, the race will complete the same finale as the 2025 men&#8217;s Giro, riding over the Colle delle Finestre, including its gravel peak, and then finishing at Sestriere. Never raced in the women&#8217;s Giro before, this will be a big moment for the race, and the decisive day of the GC battle.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We&#8217;ll bring you our analysis of the other key stages of this year&#8217;s Giro Women on Tuesday, but first, we&#8217;re kicking off our pre-race coverage with the riders who will be fighting for pink. Here are our picks for this year&#8217;s Giro GC contenders.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-fdj-united-suez\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-306cfedf-9bb5-431b-bd04-474c73ccd873\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F3VuVfFUDa6V35LEKshPAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vollering&#8217;s last outing was winning Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7d45cd16-a6d9-46b5-8bc0-4dd76f46b2b9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Demi Vollering has not ridden the Giro d&#8217;Italia since 2021, and only twice in her career, but despite her five-year absence from this race, Vollering will return to Italy as a huge favourite for the pink jersey this year. Usually skipping the Giro due to its proximity with the Tour, the peloton&#8217;s pre-eminent GC rider has won practically every other stage race on the calendar, including the Tour and two Vueltas, and has a chance to add the pink jersey to her trophy cabinet this year. She made it clear that this would be a big goal in 2026, and if her results so far are anything to go off \u2013 seven wins from 11 race days \u2013 she&#8217;s coming to this race in very good form and with very high motivation.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-CK7pcpMgki3r3GtVpbrRUG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last time Vollering rode the Giro in 2021 she finished third overall, behind winning teammate at the time Anna van der Breggen, and there&#8217;s little reason to think that she won&#8217;t be the best climber in this year&#8217;s race, training at altitude specifically for this block. Without her big yellow jersey rival Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot in Italy, Vollering will be seeing this as an opportunity to take a big Grand Tour win, and show her strength before the Tour, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her support team isn&#8217;t quite as stacked as it will be in August, with superdomestiques Juliette Berthet and \u00c9vita Muzic sitting the Giro out after racing for their own results over the Spanish block, but she can still count on really strong FDJ riders like Elise Chabbey, Amber Kraak and Lauren Dickson. The French team has been fantastic already this year, and could take a massive overall win at the Giro.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-uae-team-adq\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-190a43a7-9387-4d98-a7ea-7cf79e75ae94\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T77MLbDZBasjArYCAN8aAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Longo Borghini returns as defending champion <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b5a8b07c-f01f-4741-96f1-0b4d57eaceb9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Elisa Longo Borghini has come to dominate the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women in recent years, almost in the vein of Annemiek van Vleuten and Anna van der Breggen, and she returns this year chasing her fourth overall title. She&#8217;s had a slightly disrupted 2026 so far, with a lingering flu ruling her out of Milan-San Remo and affecting her Classics performances. She skipped the Ardennes and the Spanish block, meaning she hasn&#8217;t race since Flanders, so she will start the Giro as slightly an unknown quantity.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kJhX9DzoEmzLAhVry4t7BD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Can Vollering make it three in Li\u00e8ge? Analysing the contenders at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNXfixZVm3JoSDHMK2kfGY-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">A GC battle featuring one top dog, a few challengers and a whole load of hopefuls \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, the lack of racing is hardly the concern it used to be, with GC riders tending much more towards training and altitude camps ahead of big goals, and that&#8217;s what Longo Borghini has been doing, training on Teide. Though she will undoubtedly arrive as a big favourite, this year&#8217;s course might be the hardest Longo Borghini has faced, given the size of the climbing challenge on the Colle delle Finestre. What&#8217;s more, the Italian has often taken time in a time trial, and this year&#8217;s Giro TT is mainly uphill, so it is not quite as prime for her to make gains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And of course, she will be up against a huge challenger in Vollering. But with three pink jerseys in her trophy cabinet, and this her main goal of the season \u2013 whilst Vollering also thinks about the Tour \u2013 Longo Borghini will be hoping her Giro expertise and experience gives her an upper hand this June.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-movistar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marlen Reusser (Movistar)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cecb553e-21c3-48bc-a813-41906504ed6b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uSZUxkmd4FXxyakps8oMAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser has had a rollercoaster 2026, with two periods away with injury, but also some top results <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d18ac1de-3db5-459e-a9e7-056fa5a292f3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Marlen Reusser finished second overall at the Giro last year \u2013 nearly winning it \u2013 so obviously has to be on this list, but it&#8217;s very difficult to estimate what kind of shape she&#8217;s bringing to Italy. The Swiss rider hasn&#8217;t race since the Tour of Flanders where she crashed and suffered a fractured vertebra, thus missing what was due to be her biggest goal of the spring, the Vuelta Femenina. However, she&#8217;s been back training recently and is on Movistar&#8217;s provisional start list for the Giro, so we&#8217;re expecting to see her back.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With so little racing under her belt recently \u2013 we&#8217;re not sure what her training has looked like either \u2013 Reusser has probably had to adjust her expectations for the Giro, and coming straight back to the podium is almost certainly too big of an ask, but will she be just getting back to a good level, or challenging for the top 10? Will she even make it through the week? How is her back? These questions are all difficult to answer right now, and perhaps she doesn&#8217;t even have answers herself, so the truth is we&#8217;ll have to see. It does seem unlikely that she&#8217;ll be part of the big Longo Borghini vs Vollering battle that we&#8217;re expecting, but Reusser is super strong, so if she&#8217;s feeling good, she could still take a good solid overall result.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-anna-van-der-breggen-sd-worx-protime\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cf0cf869-6f59-44d4-b687-947f7573123d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uUcgmntNyHwmCBzBXfHzEH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Briefly leading the Vuelta showed that Van der Breggen is still capable of her previous GC exploits <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a1769f80-5974-4f08-a8c3-db87743a22a7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Anna van der Breggen won the Giro d&#8217;Italia four times when she was at her peak, and though she hasn&#8217;t quite returned to that level since coming back from a brief retirement, she is still one of the best climbers in the bunch, especially when it comes to the really high mountains. She proved that at La Vuelta, winning atop Las Praeres and coming fifth on the Angliru to claim second overall. It feels like she&#8217;s coming into this Giro with her best GC form since her return to racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It will be a really big challenge for her to match Vollering and Longo Borghini, and the general level of the peloton definitely has gone up since she was dominating the Giro, but her previous success in this race will count for a lot. She won&#8217;t be intimdated by the challenges that lie ahead, nor the high mountain of the Finestre. The overall win might be a big ask, but Van der Breggen should certainly be hoping to win a stage and aim at the final podium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marion-bunel-and-viktoria-chladonova-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marion Bunel and Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9d7dd8d-4466-4e1e-b3c0-a29fd99bbad5\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UaCms5BPMd6qshTUDKP3BH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bunel impressed at the Vuelta <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2d400ff7-d447-4fdf-b2b7-247b83f8ce1e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike are sending an insanely strong team to the Giro, even without Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, and they have at least three riders who could aim for the top 10. Marion Bunel, third overall at the Vuelta, will probably be their designated leader, and the Frenchwoman is coming into the GC shape she&#8217;s been promising for a long time. She also has a really big weapon in her arsenal in that she won the stage and the overall of the Tour de l&#8217;Avenir when it finished atop the Colle delle Finestre, so we know the race&#8217;s decisive climb suits her, and she knows what it&#8217;s like to race it. After her Vuelta podium, she&#8217;ll be dreaming of matching that here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But she&#8217;s not Visma&#8217;s only option. Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 has had a quiet start to this year after a very impressive 2025, but is really growing as an elite rider and climber. At only 18, she finished 16th overall at the Giro already last year, and can certainly aim for similar this year, if freedom allows. And thirdly, Visma can look to Femke de Vries, the 32-year-old who has been extremely strong on the climbs this year, and could be a back-up GC leader or luxury domestique. Whichever role each rider plays, Visma have a lot of cards for this Giro and should hope to finish on the final podium.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kasia-niewiadoma-phinney-and-antonia-niedermaier-canyon-sram-zondacrypto\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9bed918b-93e6-46a0-9fb1-42b8e36f67cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZnikcWSrqbECLiTMCGnLHH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Antonia Niedermaier has had a strong May <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-6486858e-8508-400c-81e2-31692d4e659c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Like Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is a rider who wouldn&#8217;t usually do the Giro, on account of its proximity to the Tour, but is expected to line up this year thanks to the date change. As a former Tour winner, it may be surprising to have Niewiadoma-Phinney this far down this list, but that&#8217;s because the Giro is likely going to be more of another training race for her bigger goal coming in August. The Polish rider was OK at the Vuelta, but not really flying, and has always been clear that the Tour is the most important stage race for her. That all said, it&#8217;s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, and she&#8217;s coming off a fantastic spring, so she can never be counted out \u2013 even when she&#8217;s not fully targeting a race, she can still finish in the top 10.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A Canyon-SRAM rider who will likely be more locked in to the Giro specifically is former stage winner Antonia Niedermaier, who finished sixth overall in 2024 and fifth overall last year. Still only 23, Niedermaier is a massively talented GC rider who obviously thrives at this race, so though Niewiadoma-Phinney&#8217;s name might make the headlines at first, the German is possibly the better contender for a top-five finish, and her recent results suggest she&#8217;s in really good form.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-niamh-fisher-black-and-isabella-holmgren-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Niamh Fisher-Black and Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-67741a39-8a5e-4719-bf0f-9ebc753024bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U6Ye2u5Tc7YEfZiWagAKBH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Niamh Fisher-Black has surely been targetting the Giro this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-68afc88f-265f-44dc-8757-0613a107af5f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Niamh Fisher-Black skipped the Spanish block so hasn&#8217;t been in action since the Ardennes, but will return with a bang at the Giro, a race that&#8217;s often treated her well. The Kiwi rider won on a mountaintop finish in 2024, and has regularly shone here, even when riding as a support rider. She should get the chance to lead Lidl-Trek this year, and will be hoping to put together a strong week for a good overall finish. As a pure climber, the climbing-heavy course will surely suit her.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, Lidl-Trek have another rising star in their team for Italy in Isabella Holmgren, last year&#8217;s Tour de l&#8217;Avenir winner, and the rider who finished second behind Bunel on the Finestre stage of the 2024 race. So like her French peer, this is another rider who has rare in-race experience of the Giro&#8217;s most pivotal mountain, and indeed success there, so she could be a real threat on that stage. The Canadian talent has had a light but very strong racing campaign so far this year, with two top 10s in the Ardennes, and it&#8217;s likely that the Giro is one of her biggest goals for the season, so don&#8217;t be surprised to see her doing well.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-sarah-gigante-and-urska-zigart-ag-insurance-soudal\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Sarah Gigante and Ur\u0161ka \u017digart (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c81da740-9bb5-4d53-a5b1-dab67515503a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KNMqecX5JtqHPJXoD9KKAH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gigante had a fantastic Giro in 2025 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1eb91a19-5152-464d-9f75-a8fecbc3bccf\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">AG Insurance-Soudal are another team that head to the Giro with a lot of options, though perhaps not one really obvious top contenders. Sarah Gigante had a great summer last year, but then faced another bout of bad luck when she broke her femur in training, so we&#8217;re yet to see her race in 2026, but the Giro has long been pinned as her big return. It&#8217;s no surprise that this is the race she&#8217;s coming back at, given she won the two hardest stages last year to finish third overall, her best Grand Tour yet, but she will come to this race as a bit of an unknown quantity after so much time off. She was reconning stages as early as March, though, so this is clearly a very big goal, and it would be fantastic to see her come back to her highs of last summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If Gigante needs a bit more time to get into race rhythm, AG Insurance can look to Ur\u0161ka \u017digart as another very worthy GC option, and her pure climbing abilities should come to the fore particularly on the Colle delle Finestre. She was sixth overall at the Vuelta after looking really good on the Angliru, so should be aiming at another top 10 here. Both her and Gigante have a strong support squad too, with Justine Ghekiere and Lore De Schepper both excellent climbing domestiques. It just remains to be seen who emerges as the team&#8217;s leader.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-monica-trinca-colonel-liv-alula-jayco\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2829d591-98d5-4fa9-8612-6c42deeef1b7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaMWi8aitkmuBMmpovEwEH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Monica Trinca Colonel will be hoping for success on home roads <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bbdfcc50-30d9-4e0d-bc13-19ad891324c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Monica Trinca Colonel is somehow still quite underrated as a GC rider, but the Liv AlUla Jayco rider has proven herself on multiple occasions now, highlighted by winning the demanding Tour de l&#8217;Ard\u00e8che last year. After shining in the Giro in 2024 \u2013 probably earning herself a transfer from an Italian Continental team to the WorldTour in the process \u2013 Trinca Colonel had an unfortunate DNF last year, but will return to lead the Aussie team at her home race. She&#8217;s coming off the back of sevent overall at the Vuelta, so is clearly in good form, and should be even more motivated on home roads, so will be a contender for the top 10 if not top five.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-honorable-mentions\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Honorable mentions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-16d13767-4063-4dc8-a5d4-006c5c6b77ed\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">World champion <strong>Magdeleine Vallieres <\/strong>(EF Education-Oatly) isn&#8217;t really a GC rider as such, but is in really good form at the moment and could definitely be challenging for pink early on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was slightly overshadowed by her teammate&#8217;s victory atop the Angliru, but <strong>Barbara Malcotti<\/strong> (Human Powered Health) had a super strong Vuelta Femenina, finishing ninth overall and will lead the team&#8217;s GC ambitions in her home Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset<\/strong> (Uno-X Mobility) is an underrated but talented climber who will be aiming for a top 20 on GC.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> for unlimited access to our Giro d&#8217;Italia Women coverage. Don&#8217;t miss any of the breaking news, reports, and analysis from one of the biggest women&#8217;s stage races of the season. <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/demi-vollering-and-elisa-longo-borghini-set-to-do-battle-but-super-strong-rivals-could-surprise-them-analysing-the-contenders-for-the-giro-d-italia-women\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RqgMR6hxXNXvCCJ7LWrkBC-1920-80.png&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Women&#8217;s Cycling Road Giro d&#8217;Italia Women Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women By Matilda Price published 25 May 2026 Two names headline our list, but this year&#8217;s strong Giro [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1954173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1954173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954173\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1954173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1954173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1954173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}