As it happened: The sprinters take the day after a crosswind hit stage 6 at the Giro d'Italia Women

Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek claimed her fourth stage victory at the 2026 Giro d’Italia Women by winning the sixth stage, a 160km route from Ala to Brescello. The stage unfolded under challenging crosswind conditions that influenced the race dynamics, particularly in the flat final 60km across the Po Valley. Balsamo outpaced a competitive sprint finish, with Maggie Coles-Lyster and Georgia Baker rounding out the podium, confirming the day’s outcome as a sprinter’s success despite the potential for breakaways. The stage featured a varied profile, beginning in the hills north of Verona and descending towards Lake Garda before entering the flat plains of the Po Valley. Although the terrain was mostly flat towards the finish, the presence of strong crosswinds created tactical opportunities and tested the riders’ positioning. The race conditions, including temperatures around 28ºC and gusts exceeding 15 km/h, added to the complexity, prompting teams to remain vigilant and protective of their leaders. In the overall general classification, Anna van der Breggen of Team SD Worx-Protime maintained her pink jersey, holding a slim advantage over Demi Vollering and Antonia Niedermaier. Van der Breggen acknowledged the difficulty of the previous mountainous stage but expressed satisfaction with her performance and the support she received from her team. The general classification remains tightly contested, with several riders within striking distance, setting the stage for continued tactical battles in the coming days. The race is now past its halfway point, and attrition has taken its toll, with notable withdrawals including past stage winner Clara Emond. As the Giro progresses, the combination of varied terrain and weather conditions promises to keep the competition intense. Teams will need to balance protecting their leaders with seizing opportunities, particularly as the race moves towards its decisive mountain stages and time trials. The sprinters’ teams will also be keen to capitalise on remaining flat stages to secure further victories.