Many thought it wouldn’t happen thanks to months of radio silence and confusion from the organisers, but the 34th edition of the Giro d’Italia Donne – the longest running stage race on the women’s WorldTour calendar – will get underway this Friday June 30, 2023. The final edition of the race before the men’s Giro d’Italia organisers, RCS, take over from 2024.
The route, which was only revealed a matter of weeks ago, sticks to the usual Giro Donne playbook, beginning with a short time trial (or prologue) of 4.4km and going on to traverse a combination of hilly and flat stages. Like last year, the race also heads to the island of Sardinia wherein a ‘rest’ day on July 7 incorporates a transfer of 680km from Alassio, in the north west of the mainland, to Nuoro in Sardinia.
Overall, the route lends itself much less to pure climbers than in previous years, with plenty of opportunities for sprinters or punchier riders. One such rider is Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma), who will be looking to top up her impressive tally of 32 stage wins. Her compatriot, Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar), will be searching for a fourth title, but even without her arch rival, Demi Vollering (SD Worx), competition will be fierce.
Here’s all you need to know about the route, contenders and our GC winner prediction.
Giro d’Italia Donne 2023 route
Stage one: Chianciano – Chianciano (4.4km)
Stage one profile sourced via Giro d’Italia Donne website
The race kicks off with a 4.4km individual time trial around the spa town of Chianciano Terme. The roadbook describes the opening kilometres as “A slightly uphill/downhill road” before things get technical in the pedestrianised town centre. Riders then take a 90-degree left-hander before a descent, followed by a slight uphill finish to the line.
It is remarkably similar to the opening stage of the 2022 race, won by Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula), and will likely favour a more powerful rider. The short distance and flat terrain mean that mechanicals or other mishaps aside, the stage will have little bearing on GC.
Stage two: Bagno a Ripoli – Marradi (102.1km)
Stage two profile sourced via Giro d’Italia Donne website
Stage two sees the first significant climb of the race. After a flat first 60km, the peloton will head towards the Passo Della Colla, which, at 16.1 km long, will undoubtedly create splits. But with an average gradient of just 4.5%, it is unlikely to give the fittest of the fast-finishers much…