As it happened: The sprinters have their day in Ravenna at stage 1 of the Giro d'Italia Women

Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx - Protime claimed victory in the opening stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia Women, held between Cesenatico and Ravenna. The 139km largely flat course favoured the sprinters, and Wiebes, who entered the race as the stage favourite, delivered a powerful sprint finish to take the first maglia rosa. The stage featured a technical city circuit in Ravenna, where the sprinters’ teams controlled the race to set up a bunch sprint, confirming Wiebes’ top form following recent successes at the Vuelta Burgos. The race marked the 37th edition of the Giro d’Italia Women and the third under the organisation of RCS Sport, which has been investing significantly to raise the profile of the event. This year’s race avoided clashing with the men’s Tour de France for the first time in many years, potentially increasing its visibility and fan engagement. Notable contenders included Demi Vollering, the overall favourite for the general classification, and Elisa Longo Borghini, the defending champion and local favourite, although both riders had experienced disrupted seasons due to injuries and setbacks. The opening stage saw an early breakaway of Italian riders from Continental teams, including Valeria Curnis, Sharon Spimi, and Sofia Arici, who gained a modest lead before the peloton gradually reeled them back in. The peloton maintained control on the flat terrain, which featured no significant climbs and thus no mountain classification points were awarded. This tactical approach ensured a high-speed finish that played into the hands of the sprinters and their teams. Reactions from key riders highlighted the challenges faced this season, with Longo Borghini describing her current form as uncertain and Marlen Reusser making a notable comeback from a spinal fracture. Meanwhile, Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek, a former world champion, was also among the sprint favourites aiming to claim the pink jersey on home roads. The stage result sets the tone for a competitive race ahead, with the sprinters having their day but the general classification battle still wide open as the Giro progresses.