As normal as it was, just the route revealed The first impressions of the 2025 Giro d'Italia Women's cycling were immediately shared. Those of the outgoing pink jersey We recorded them immediately with Longo Borghini, but there are more to hear. Giada Borgato he followed the presentation of the race and got an idea, as well as providing us with some additional ideas.
Up to five hundred meters from the end of the Giro Women's cycling of last year, there was only one second separating the top two in the general classification and anything could have happenedThen, on the uphill road leading to the finish line in L'Aquila, Longo Borghini definitively distanced Kopecky for the triumph he had always sought. Will we see something similar in July? And who will be the contenders at the start? Here's what the Rai Sport technical commentator told us, now as ready as ever to restart the season.
Giada, what was your first opinion on the race design?
It's an Giro Women's cycling complete, which is moving towards hard and for women in the general classification. Few opportunities for sprinters, like last year. I think it will take great legs even for the stages considered intermediatePersonally, I think we might see very little of the so-called second-stringers. Besides the general classification, those aiming for the stages will be strong athletes. And then... Be careful, it's 8 days and they fly by. It's easy to get to the end of the Giro..
Let's open a parenthesis. Do you think major women's stage races should last longer?
I am of the opinion that, given the current state of women's cycling, it's time to increase the number of stages, just as they increased the mileage, while significant differences in altitude have already existed in the past. They will do so by taking one step at a time, but for me a dozen days, if not even two weeks, would be a perfect format. Obviously, however, there are always subtle balances and maneuvers that are difficult to make fit together.
Do you mean for the organizers?
That, without a doubt. For me, the financial effort required to stage a two-week event goes hand in hand with the prestige it would bring. But there's more. I think about the distance between the Giro and the Tour because at that point there would be no room to recover energy and at the same time the athletes would be forced to choose one of the two races, much more than they already do now. I wouldn't want us to risk seeing the same situation in Italy as the men's, where all the big names want to go to the Tour.For now, eight stages for the three Grand Tours are fine, but we hope that in the future a solution can be found that satisfies everyone, especially between the Giro and the Tour.
Going back to the route, it seems very similar to the one in 2024. Shall we try to go into more detail?
The initial time trial in Bergamo will be important, as are all time trials wherever they are held.The finish at Aprica is a rideable climb. The strongest riders will already be battling it out, but they could arrive in a fairly large group. The third stage, arriving in Trento, will almost certainly be for sprinters, although the Tonale climb at the start could disrupt some plans and give rise to some long-distance attempts. The uphill finish in Pianezze will be the first real watershed. Unlike last year's first uphill finish in Toano, where the route covered a lot of flat ground, this time there will be constant ups and downs and a significant mileage. That day could see the first shake-up in the standings.
And could another race begin?
I absolutely believe so, and not just on paper. The fifth stage arrives in Monselice and will be the second and last chance for the sprinters Because the final three days will be truly challenging, just like last year, and perhaps even more so. The Terre Roveresche stage mirrors the Urbino stage from last year. It could be a hotbed for strong breakaways, and the leaders will have to be wary. The next day there is the Monte Nerone stage, without a single meter of flat land and 160 kilometersThere will be three “gpm” and the arrival at altitude is really tough, with the last 8 km at an average 8%. You will also have to pay attention to the heat if necessary.For example, that is a perfect stage, like the one in Pianezze, for the characteristics of Longo Borghini.
The grand finale in Imola will not be the classic catwalk.
Absolutely not, it will be a real, classic stage. Elisa likes the altimetry, but be careful with someone like Kopecky who on a route like that goes very fast and could become dangerous if the standings are still as close as last year. Elisa (Longo Borghini, ed.) is right when she says we shouldn't wait until the last stage. For me it could still be a tough and uncertain race..
Longo Borghini has already said he'll be competing. Will Kopecky still be the first opponent, or will we see other big names?
If we mean Vollering, I think she will do the Tour Femmes. It was taken by FDJ-Suez who are clearly aiming for the home race, so I think that at Giro Women's cycling Labous will come, who in turn will work for Vollering in France. And Labous is a great athlete, who can winLudwig needs to recover and could come to the Giro to improve on his overall standings for Canyon, although Bradbury could return to improve on his third place. While I believe Kopecky will be the captain of SD-Worx.
So we won't even see Van der Breggen?
In my opinion Van der Breggen could be the leader of the TourShe comes back aware of her abilities and knowing that she can go very fast. We'll have to figure out whether he wants to battle Vollering at the Vuelta before doing so in France.Anna and Kopecky won't wait for the classics to decide on a possible change of plan. In any case, they'll announce their plans soon, and we'll see what they do. Maybe I'll be proven wrong.
Shall we close with a nod to Realini and Cavalli?
Unfortunately, Gaia suffered a fractured elbow, which is always critical to repair. However, I believe she has enough time to recover. In my opinion, In Lidl-Trek they will understand along the way who will run the Giro Women's cycling as a leader. Being Italian they might have a special consideration and on equal strength with Fisher-Black and Markus, they will run for Gaia. In any case, the initial time trial will say a lot for her. Marta, on the other hand, we'll have to see what she chooses.. If she says to do the Giro Women's cyclingPicnic-PostNL is happy to field it immediately. It's an excellent opportunity to relaunch without too much pressure.
