The long-awaited return of Sanremo Women, presented by Crédit Agricole, was officially unveiled today in Genoa, with the women’s edition of the Classicissima set to take place on 22nd March. For the first time in 20 years, the race will run on the same day as the men’s race Milano-Sanremo, bringing back a prestigious event to the UCI Women’s WorldTour.
Among those already confirmed for the 156 km race are world champion Lotte Kopecky, Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini, and last year’s Strade Bianche and Tour de France Femmes winner Demi Vollering.
A route mirroring the men’s finale
The race starts in Genoa, crossing the Porto Antico area before joining the famous Via Aurelia in Voltri. From there, the peloton will follow the same roads as the men’s race, passing through Savona, Albenga and Imperia before the crucial final phase.
The decisive climbs of the Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo will shape the outcome, just as they have done for the men’s race for decades. The Cipressa is 5.6 km at 4.1%, with a fast descent leading back to the coast. The Poggio follows with 9 km to go, averaging under 4% but peaking at 8% in the final ramp before the descent. The race concludes on the historic Via Roma, where a select sprint or late attack is expected to decide the winner.
Organisers highlight the race’s significance
Mauro Vegni, Director of Cycling at RCS Sport, said:
“Liguria once again proves to be a key region for world-class cycling, and the connection with Genoa takes on even greater significance following last year’s Giro d’Italia stage start. We are proud to help bring such a prestigious classic back to the calendar, offering the world’s best female athletes a unique setting and a technical challenge worthy of its rich history.”
Giusy Virelli, Director of Sanremo Women, emphasised the race’s importance for the sport:
“The return of Sanremo Women is an important milestone for women’s cycling, which continues to grow and claim the recognition it deserves. Seeing the best riders in the world compete on the same roads that have shaped the history of Milano-Sanremo sends a powerful message: the future of cycling is increasingly inclusive and thrilling.”
Regional and local officials echoed their enthusiasm, with Simona Ferro, Regional Councillor for Sport, calling it a “historic comeback,” while Sanremo Mayor Alessandro Mager noted that “our roads have witnessed some of the most unforgettable moments in cycling history.”
Teams set to line up for 2025 Sanremo Women
Fifteen WorldTour teams will take to the start in Genoa, alongside four ProTeams and five Continental outfits:
UCI Women’s WorldTeams
- AG Insurance-Soudal
- Canyon SRAM ZondaCrypto
- Ceratizit Pro Cycling Team
- FDJ-Suez
- Fenix-Deceuninck
- Human Powered Health
- Lidl-Trek
- Liv-AlUla-Jayco
- Movistar Team
- Roland
- Team Picnic PostNL
- Team SD Worx-Protime
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike
- UAE Team ADQ
- Uno-X Mobility
UCI Women’s ProTeams
- Cofidis Women Team
- EF Education-Oatly
- Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi
- VolkerWessels Cycling Team
UCI Women’s Continental Teams
- Aromitalia 3T Vaiano
- BePink-Imatra-Bongioanni
- Isolmant-Premac-Vittoria
- Team Mendelspeck E-Work
- Top Girls Fassa Bortolo
With a challenging course, a high-profile start list, and the return of a historic race to the women’s calendar, Sanremo Women is poised to become a key fixture in the WorldTour.
