Giro Donne 2023, where are we at? There is a need for news. A race like this deserves greater publicity, especially during the winter months. Call it a bit of professional curiosity, a bit of... the teams want to know the route as soon as possibleJust this morning, in an interview in the Gazzetta dello Sport, Marta Cavalli admitted that not having yet defined the 2023 program, because there is no news on the Italian raceThe ever-increasing level of women's cycling demands it. Let's try to throw a stone into the pond and see the effect it has.
The last two editions packaged by Starlight have been a very good quality product – the podium and top 10 are there to prove it – therefore, the general interest is more than legitimate. But what do we know so far about our stage race? Little is official, plenty of rumors, and all are open to any outcome. From now on, except in rare cases, the conditional is mandatory..
Difficult contacts
Let's start by telling the extreme difficulty in getting answers from boss Roberto Ruini (opening with Marta Cavalli), made up of repeated attempts, appointments postponed time after time and the circumstantial explanations of his press office, evidently in difficulty.
To tell the truth Ruini had answered us before the end of 2022, understanding our interest, even if he had given us few official quotes. We had gathered rumours from several sources: it seemed right and natural to ask the director of the Giro Donne for an account of them.The reason why he was unable to commit himself is not known, although it is easy to imagine.
Only start and finish of the tour
«First of all, I can assure you that this year – Ruini told us on the phone – Starlight will always be the organizer of the race, contrary to some rumors that had been circulating. Just as I can reiterate that the departure will be from Rome as I announced on July 10th during the closing press conference at the last stage in Padua.
«Where will the Giro Donne end? In Sardinia – Ruini concluded – thus further supporting this indiscretion of yours. In the meantime, however, I cannot confirm or deny the rumors you have. I can only tell you that From October to today we have made many calls and meetings to define the rest of the route».
The other stages
Exactly, how will the other part of the journey develop? First of all, it should be remembered that the UCI has placed the Giro Donne from June 30th to July 9th.The total includes 10 stages, to which will be added the rest day for the transfer to Sardinia (just as happened in 2022, but in reverse). At that point the race would take on a strange format with the break just a few days before the end.
The first fraction It should be an individual time trial in the capital, where the Giro dei pro' will already finish. Civitavecchia could host the start of the second stage, with a possible finish for sprinters in the province of Grosseto.
For the third fraction, there would be several scenarios chasing each otherDeparture from Tuscany with arrival between the Modena and Bologna areas, thus tackling the first climbs of the Apennines, or a stage along the lines of last year's Cesena stage, entirely disputed around Imola on a part of the world circuit, with the bursts of Mazzolano and Gallisterna marking the end. the fourth Another day for fast wheels could be expected with the Modena-Piacenza.
The fifth fraction It should be the so-called "stage", to be run entirely in Piedmont: it seems there will be a couple of important mountains already tackled in the men's races. The sixth will see an arrival in Liguria, with all the possible dangers of its hinterland.
In the evening the caravan will move to Sardinia by flights and ferries and the next day will be rest. The three final stages (from 7th to 9th July) will be held on the island with the possibility of seeing something new and particular, to possibly try to overturn the rankings making the last days of racing even more exciting.
Future editions
Meanwhile, the Cycling Federation website has released the notice for the assignment of the editions of the four-year period 2024-2027 with certain requirementsPoint 3 of the announcement states the need to possess "economic and financial capacity demonstrable by having achieved a turnover of at least three million euros in the last financial year."
The notice expires on Wednesday 1st February and at that point the envelopes can be opened and the next organisers will be known. (the Giro d'Italia U23 is also in the works, still without an organizer for this year). It is rumoured that the silence surrounding the Giro Donne 2023 is linked to these results and that RCS Sport is the main candidate to take over the management, but we don't want to go into that.
However, putting it all into context, there is also a positive aspect for the Giro Donne. Leaving aside that the Tour Femmes 2023 was announced together with the men's one last October 27, The Starlight race is ahead of schedule compared to other years.
In 2021 it was officially presented on June 3, while last year on March 10. There's still room to wait, but not too much.The WorldTour season starts tomorrow.
