'I've never really lost the good feeling' – Marion Bunel carries Vuelta podium form into Giro d'Italia Women as replacement for injured Marianne Vos

Marion Bunel is set to compete at the Giro d’Italia Women starting May 30, stepping in for the injured Marianne Vos on the Visma team. The 21-year-old French rider arrives in Italy fresh from a breakthrough performance at La Vuelta Femenina, where she secured a podium finish. Bunel demonstrated her climbing prowess on the challenging mountain stages, notably rising 22 places overall after stage 6 and ultimately finishing third, just under a minute behind winner Paula Blasi. This result marked a significant milestone in her young career and has positioned her as a rising leader within the Dutch squad. Bunel will share leadership responsibilities at the Giro with Femke de Vries, a 32-year-old who has impressed since joining Visma earlier this year. De Vries has already achieved notable results including a second place overall at the Tour de l’Ardèche and a WorldTour podium at the UAE Tour. Both riders have expressed confidence in their form and preparation, with Bunel emphasising the momentum she has carried over from the Vuelta and De Vries highlighting the benefits of her altitude training camp. Together, they aim to deliver strong performances, particularly on the decisive climbing stages. The key moment for the GC contenders will likely be stage 8, featuring the iconic Colle delle Finestre climb to Sestriere. This ascent has proven pivotal in past editions of the Giro and suits the climbing strengths of both Bunel and De Vries. Visma’s history on this climb is notable, with Simon Yates’ victory in the men’s Giro last year and Bunel’s own win at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes in 2024. The team’s depth will be bolstered by promising young riders such as Viktória Chladoňová and Nienke Veenhoven, providing strong support across the race. Visma’s management and riders have expressed optimism about the duo’s potential impact in Italy. De Vries praised Bunel’s rapid development and is eager to race alongside her in the Giro, while both leaders remain cautiously ambitious about their overall goals. With the team’s strong climbing squad and recent successes, Visma looks well-positioned to challenge for top honours in one of the season’s most prestigious women’s stage races. The Giro d’Italia Women promises to be a key test for Bunel’s burgeoning talent and an important step in her Grand Tour career.