The Giro Donne has a huge reputation earned from being the only grand tour style race in the women’s cycling calendar. Obviously, with the Tour de France Femmes re-appearing this year, that’s about to be challenged.
In recent years, the Giro Donne has been criticised for mid-race changes, poor accommodation for teams, a lack of any live coverage, followed by a lack of good live coverage and minimal prize money too. It became such an issue that the Giro Donne was removed from the Women’s WorldTour in 2021 after failing to meet the standards required. Under a new race organisation, the Giro Donne has taken its slap on the wrists and begun some progress. We did have live coverage of the 2021 race for the first time, even if a lot of it left a lot desired. The 4G quality broadcast meant that it was prone to drops and there was plenty of filler material during the broadcast.
2022 Giro Donne Route
30th June to 10th July 2022
Stage 1
Caligari – 4.7km TT
Stage 2
Villassimius – Tortoli – 117.3km
Stage 3
Cala Gonone – Olbia – 112.7km
Stage 4
Cesena – Cesena – 120.9km
Stage 5
Carpi – Reggio Emilia – 123.4km
Stage 6
Sarnico – Bergamo – 114.7km
Stage 7
Prevalle – Passo del Maniva – 113.4
Stage 8
Rovereto – Aldeno – 92.2km
Stage 9
San Michele All’Adige – San Lorenzo Dorsino 112.8km
Stage 10
Abano Terme – Padova – 90.5km
Prize Money + Live Coverage
The prize money for the 2022 edition of the Giro Donne will be increased around fivefold to a total fund of €250k. This is closer to the amount quoted for the Tour de France Femmes and a huge jump on the previous bare minimum prize money available for women’s cyclists at the Giro.
Live coverage will be improved. With 2 hours of each stage now covered, instead of a one-hour package that was regularly showed hardly any actual live coverage. The organisers have promised an improved quality of coverage, including live pictures from helicopters and on the ground. This suggests to me that the live coverage will be of HD broadcast-quality rather than utilising the cheaper but less reliable 4G mobile data method of transmitting live pictures of the race.
All in all, lots to be encouraged by. There have been previous false dawns with the Giro Donne, so experienced followers of women’s cycling will believe it when they see it. However, it is looking positive for a strong race.
Main Image Credit: Cor Vos
