2026 Giro d’Italia Women Preview: The Colle delle Finestre Will Define the Race

The 2026 Giro d’Italia Women, set to begin on May 30, promises to be one of the most grueling editions in the race’s history. With a total distance of 1,180km and over 12,000 meters of ascent, the event will test the limits of the world’s best female cyclists. At the heart of the action is the Colle delle Finestre, a notorious climb that has already made its mark on the men’s race and now threatens to shape the outcome of the women’s competition.

The Colle delle Finestre: A Queenmaker in the Making

The Colle delle Finestre, a 19km ascent topping out near 2,200 meters, will be the decisive stage of the 2026 Giro Women. Known for its relentless 9% gradient and loose gravel surface, the climb has historically been a turning point in the men’s Giro, and its debut in the women’s race is expected to be no different. Elisa Longo Borghini, the double defending champion, has already warned that the stage will “decide the 2026 Giro Women,” echoing similar sentiments from the men’s race in 2025.

“The dirt roads make it a special climb. It’s also long and hard from the very start,” Longo Borghini said during the route presentation. The stage, scheduled for June 6, will likely see the peloton split, with climbers like Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney vying for dominance. Reigning Tour de France champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, however, will be absent, leaving a void in the GC favorites.

Key Stages and Contenders

The 2026 edition features two mountain stages, three hilly stages, and a brutal climbing time trial, but the Colle delle Finestre remains the ultimate decider. Stage 5, a 146km route through the Dolomites, will set the tone with back-to-back climbs in the final 100km. This stage, described as an “old-school bruiser,” is expected to foreshadow the challenges ahead.

The GC battle will center on Longo Borghini, who is returning after a spring sidelined by a chest infection. Vollering, making her Giro Women debut since 2021, aims to challenge for the maglia rosa. Other top contenders include Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Marlen Reusser, and four-time pink jersey winner Anna van der Breggen.

Sprinters and Flat Stages

While the mountains will dominate the narrative, the Giro Women also offers opportunities for sprinters. Lorena Wiebes, the Dutch rider with a 50% win rate in 2026, will face competition from Charlotte Kool, Chiara Consonni, and rising stars like Cat Ferguson. The flat stages, including a 105km route on June 3, will see teams like EF Education-Oatly, featuring Kristen Faulkner, battle for stage wins.

How to Watch

The 2026 Giro d’Italia Women will be broadcast on HBO Max in the U.S., FloBikes in Canada, and Eurosport and HBO Max in the UK and Europe. Australian fans can tune in via SBS Sport. For the latest updates, follow the official Giro d’Italia website and social media channels.

Key Takeaways

• The Colle delle Finestre will be the defining stage of the 2026 Giro Women.
• Elisa Longo Borghini and Demi Vollering are top GC contenders.
• The race features two mountain stages, three hilly routes, and a climbing time trial.
• Sprinters like Lorena Wiebes will target flat stages for victories.
• Live coverage is available on HBO Max, FloBikes, and Eurosport.