As it happened: It's as you were in Giro d'Italia Women overall after a huge battle on Colle delle Finestre in an avalanche shortened stage 8

Demi Vollering of FDJ United-SUEZ claimed victory on the challenging stage 8 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia Women, which featured the iconic Colle delle Finestre climb. The stage was shortened due to an avalanche, but still provided a dramatic and intense contest among the riders. Vollering powered through the gravel sections and steep gradients to secure her second stage win of the race, demonstrating her climbing prowess and tactical acumen on one of the Giro’s most demanding ascents. The route from Rivoli to Sestriere covered 106 kilometres with nearly 2,900 metres of vertical ascent, including the brutal Colle delle Finestre rising from 480m to 2,169m. The peloton faced a fast and aggressive start on relatively flat terrain before tackling the punishing climbs, with weather conditions adding an extra layer of difficulty as rain was forecast at higher elevations. The stage saw a high average speed early on, with no successful breakaways until the climb, reflecting the fierce competition among teams defending or challenging the general classification. Anna van der Breggen, the race leader since her mountain time trial win, was under pressure following a crash on the previous stage, but remained a key figure in the overall battle. Elisa Longo Borghini, the defending champion, also sought to regain time lost earlier in the race, attacking on descents to close gaps. Despite these efforts, the stage’s outcome left the general classification largely unchanged, highlighting the resilience and strategic caution of the leading contenders in the face of the race’s toughest terrain. The avalanche-shortened stage and the fierce contest on the Colle delle Finestre underscore the unpredictable nature of mountain racing in the Giro d’Italia Women. With the race entering its final phases, the battle for the pink jersey remains wide open, setting the stage for further tactical manoeuvres and dramatic moments in the remaining stages. Riders and teams will need to balance aggression with prudence as they navigate the demanding Alpine terrain and unpredictable weather conditions ahead.