After two GC-shaking days in Bergamo and Aprica, stage three of the Giro d’Italia Women offers a change of rhythm – if not of altitude. The peloton climbs from the flag to the top of the Passo del Tonale, reaching the Cima Alfonsina Strada – the highest point of this year’s race – after just 19km. It sounds like a climber’s stage, but in practice, it’s one of the best chances all week for the sprinters.
From the summit, the race drops steadily down through the Val di Sole and Val di Non, before flattening out completely in the final 40km. The finishing stretch into Trento is fast, wide, and straightforward, though it includes a final left-hander with 350m to go – notable for its cobbled surface in a fan-shaped pattern, rather than tarmac. If it’s wet, it could be treacherous.
A GC shake-up, but now a day to reset
Stage two saw a major reshuffle in the general classification, with Anna Henderson winning in a two-up sprint into Aprica to take the maglia rosa. The Brit now leads by 15 seconds over stage one winner Marlen Reusser, while Elisa Longo Borghini sits third at 31 seconds.
With no serious climbs after the opening 20km, this is likely to be a more settled day – a chance to recover before Wednesday’s summit finish at Valdobbiadene. The main obstacle to a mass sprint will be whether any team dares to go early on the Tonale, but holding a gap across 100km of descending and flats will be a challenge, especially with an intermediate sprint in Cles at 62.7km providing motivation for teams chasing points.
Sprinters expected to take centre stage
This is the most straightforward finish so far, and it’s built for the pure sprinters. Lorena Wiebes will be the rider to beat if she’s in position, though the final corner and cobbled section may favour someone with better bike handling and momentum. Chiara Consonni, Martina Fidanza, and Valentine Fortin are also among the contenders, particularly if the lead-outs get messy late on.
After the bruising effort of the Aprica stage, many teams will simply want to deliver their sprinter cleanly to the final kilometre. Expect a few attacks on the Tonale, but the real fight will come at 60km/h on the streets of Trento.
What’s on offer
- Date: Tuesday, 8th July
- Distance: 122km
- Start/Finish: Vezza d’Oglio – Trento
- Climbs:
- Passo del Tonale (Cima Alfonsina Strada, km 19.0)
- Intermediate sprint: Cles (km 62.7)
Prediction
All eyes are on Lorena Wiebes for this one. If she’s delivered into the final bend in good position, she’s the fastest in the race. But Trento’s finish has a sting – and with cobbles and curves to contend with, don’t rule out a surprise.
