'We are investing a lot' – Giro d'Italia Women director confirms two-hour daily TV coverage, plans for back-to-back races and hopes to renew organising contract

The Giro d’Italia Women is entering a pivotal phase with its 37th edition commencing in Cesenatico this Saturday, marking the first time the race will run concurrently with the men’s event, which finishes in Rome the following day. Giusy Virelli, race director for the women’s Giro and events manager at RCS Sport, has been deeply involved in the organisation, overseeing everything from race logistics to coordination with local authorities and cycling federations. Despite being in the advanced stages of pregnancy, Virelli remains hands-on, delegating lead vehicle duties while maintaining overall control of the race management. Since taking over the women’s Giro in 2024 after RCS Sport won the organisation rights through a competitive bidding process, Virelli has focused on enhancing the race’s profile and professionalism. Under her leadership, the event has seen improvements in marketing, fan engagement, and television coverage, aligning the women’s race more closely with the men’s Giro d’Italia in terms of branding and promotional efforts. This strategic alignment has helped leverage the established prestige of the men’s race to boost visibility and attract a broader audience to the women’s event. One of the most significant changes this year is the rescheduling of the women’s Giro to late May, a move designed to avoid clashes with the men’s Tour de France and the women’s Tour de France Femmes. Virelli emphasised that the previous July slot limited TV coverage and participation, as broadcasters struggled to accommodate multiple major cycling events simultaneously. The new timing promises extended daily live coverage of up to two hours, a substantial increase from the previous 45-minute broadcasts on Italian television, which should enhance exposure and fan access. The 2025 edition boasts a strong start list, including prominent riders such as two-time winner Elisa Longo Borghini and Tour de France champion Demi Vollering, signalling a highly competitive general classification battle. Virelli highlighted that the greater interval between the Giro and the Tour de France Femmes encourages top riders to compete in both, enriching the quality of the field. While the full impact of the calendar change will only be clear after the race concludes in early June, the initial response suggests positive momentum for the event’s growth. Looking ahead, RCS Sport is investing heavily in the Giro d’Italia Women, with plans to manage overlapping logistics during the back-to-back men’s and women’s races and ambitions to renew their organising contract beyond the current four-year term. Virelli’s commitment to advancing women’s cycling through enhanced race conditions and media presence reflects a broader push within the sport to elevate the status and sustainability of women’s professional cycling events.