It’s a different time of year for the Giro Rosa, usually we see the only race which we’d class as a Grand Tour take place in July. But after the rescheduling of the season, it’s great to be here in Italy. The longest women’s stage race will be starting its 31st edition in Grosseto, Tuscany on Friday 11th September, travelling south and finishing in Motta Montecorvino, Apulia on Saturday 19th of September.
Our riders for the 9 day race are newly crowned German Champion, Lisa Brennauer, 4 x Giro Rosa stage winner Kirsten Wild, general classification contender, Ane Santesteban and Italian trio, Maria Giulia Confalonieri, Dr Erica Magnaldi and Lara Vieceli who starts her 8th Giro Rosa.
Stage 1 – Grosseto – Grosseto, 16.8km Team Time Trial
A flat and very fast Team Time Trial. With the un-technical nature of the course time gaps will be very close, for any rider wanting to win the overall it will be critical to start the Giro well.
Stage 2 – Civitella Paganico – Arcidosso, 124km
The first road stage may prove to be one of the most pivotal of the race, dirt roads and a hill top finish could shape the GC after day 2. The first dirt road is after 14km. The final climb is another dirt ascent to Seggiano. After cresting the climb the riders will only have 11km of rolling terrain to the finish.
Stage 3 – Santa Fiora – Assisi, 142km
A tough up and down start for the riders with plenty of climbing in the first 77 kilometres of racing. Some respite follows until they will face the climb to Assisi, the final 1.8km averages at 8%, so it will be another day for the GC and those punchy climbers who fancy a stage win.
Stage 4 – Assisi – Tivoli, 170km
The longest stage of the Giro Rosa 2020, a tough long day in the saddle for the all the riders. With only one 3rd category climb on the stage it looks to be a simple one. But the final 2km drags all the way to the finish. 4 days in and 170km of racing in their legs it will be the rider who has the most left for the final sprint. Another stressful day for GC contenders they need to stay aware for any gaps appearing within the group.
Stage 5 – Terracina – Terracina, 110km
What looks like the first real chance for the sprinters but they will have to work for it. The first 36km hugs the coastline so any high winds could cause crosswinds. The 2nd category climb at the mid-way point will test the legs, a fast descent followed by a flat run in should allow the teams to reorganise and allow the sprinters to have their fun.
Stage 6 – Torre del Greco – Nola, 97km
Starting in Torre del Greco a town overlooked by Mount Vesuvius it looks to be another day for the sprinters. Only one 3rd category climb to conquer but the short 97km of racing will mean it will be exciting from start to finish. The riders will pass through Pompei early within the stage and any overall contender will be hoping their GC ambitions won’t follow a similar fate as the ancient city.
Stage 7 – Nola – Maddaloni, 112km
A tough finishing circuit will again shake up the general classification. The riders will pass through the finish after 76km and complete 2 laps. A 3rd category climb of 3.9km averaging 5.7% will wear down any tired legs. The final 4km is fast and downhill so a small break could stay away to the line.
Stage 8 – Castelnuovo della Daunia – San Marco la Catola, 91km
The shortest but defining stage. A tough unforgiving day greets the riders, the first 2nd category climb after 50km will be a test. The final 5.6km at 8.1% could decide who wins the maglia rosa. The first 3 kilometres of the final climb to San Marco la Catola will break hearts and legs averaging at over 12%. A crescendo that could turn the overall battle upside down.
Stage 9 – Motta Montecorvino – Motta Montecorvino, 110km
The final stage of the Giro Rosa isn’t the usual flat fanfare of a grand tour. A tough 27.5km circuit which is either up or down including a 14km ascent of Voturno each lap. A final GC battle will ensue and riders will have to race through their accumulative fatigue. The final 6km of the lap climbs all the way to the finish line, averaging at 4.5%. An exciting and action packed final stage, one thing for sure this years winner of the Giro Rosa will be an admiral champion.
We’ll be posting highlights of our race day every evening so stay tuned for those, and follow our social media platforms for updates throughout.
