Giro d’Italia Women

The race is usually decided in the mountains, particularly in the final third when the route reaches the Alps or the high Apennines. Expect an individual time trial, either on the opening day or mid-race, that can create or extend gaps before the climbing stages arrive. The opening days tend to favor sprinters or puncheurs, but they also serve as survival tests where crashes or splits can damage a contender's overall hopes before the mountains even begin. The longest climbs typically come in the last two or three stages, with summit finishes that reward pure climbing power over tactical patience. Because the race spans more than a week, form management and team depth matter more than in shorter stage races. Weather in the mountains can still change a planned stage: in 2026 an avalanche shortened the stage over the Colle delle Finestre, and in 2023 extreme weather canceled the opening time trial.