'We can all take our opportunities' – EF Education-Oatly and world champion Magdeleine Vallieres go stage hunting at Giro d'Italia Women

EF Education-Oatly has announced its squad for the upcoming Giro d’Italia Women, with reigning world champion Magdeleine Vallieres leading the team’s challenge. The Canadian rider is targeting stage victories across the nine-day race, which spans from Cesenatico to Saluzzo. Vallieres, who has yet to secure a win in her rainbow jersey, is particularly focused on the hilly fifth stage, a demanding day featuring multiple climbs and a circuit finish, which she believes will be decisive for the general classification. The team’s line-up also includes Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner, who brings valuable Grand Tour experience with two stage wins at the 2022 Giro and recent racing at La Vuelta Femenina. Supporting them are riders Nina Berton, Stina Kagevi, Mirre Knaven, Alexis Magnier, and Alexandra Volstad, the latter making her Grand Tour debut and serving as the squad’s sprint contender. Volstad expressed enthusiasm about her first Grand Tour experience and the opportunities for sprint finishes, aiming to make an impact in the race’s flatter stages. Vallieres highlighted the strength and cohesion of the EF Education-Oatly team, praising her teammates’ positioning skills and teamwork, which she sees as crucial assets in the peloton. Having recently raced together at Itzulia Women, where Vallieres finished 13th overall, the squad has built a solid foundation ahead of the Giro. She expressed excitement about the race, describing it as one of her favourite Grand Tours and emphasising the unpredictable and compelling nature of the event. The team’s strategy appears focused on seizing multiple opportunities, with Vallieres confident that the squad’s depth will allow several riders to contest stages. The blend of climbing prowess, sprinting capability, and experienced support riders positions EF Education-Oatly as a competitive force in the race. With a strong staff and well-prepared roster, the team is poised to make a significant impact on one of the season’s most prestigious women’s cycling events.