Giro Rosa 2018

Jul 6
cyclical

The (arguably) biggest stage race on the Women’s World Tour gets underway in Verbania in a matter of moments. It’s certainly the longest at ten stages and not far off 1000 kilometers, and it is a hugely prestigious event to win.

2018 sees a mix of sprinter-friendly flat days, a TTT and a short individual time trial, as well as a couple of massive mountain stages with the showpiece haul up Monte Zoncolan.

 

Contenders

As with the Women’s Tour, which saw four of the top five ranked riders missing, the big miss here is defending champion Anna van der Breggen. After sweeping almost all before her for the last three seasons, she’s taking on new challenges in mountain biking to refresh herself ahead of the road worlds in Austria in September. In her absence, who should we be looking at?

Annemiek van Vleuten

The outstanding favourite, who possibly would have won last year but for a tactical error on a windy day. There is little chance of a similar mistake this time. Michelson-Scott have assembled a powerhouse squad to support the Dutchwoman, one of the finest time trial riders of the last decade, and a now-superb climber. Should she falter or should tactics play a greater role,  Amanda Spratt is poised to offer a dynamic alternative.

https://twitter.com/MitcheltonSCOTT/status/1013751824606744577

Elisa Longo Borghini

The Italian has had health problems to contend with this year which has meant a recalibration of targets. She looked to be rolling into nice form with the mountains jersey at the Women’s Tour, and took gold in the Mediterranean Games last weekend. Backed by a strong Wiggle-Honda team, she can rely on the experience of the likes of Martina Ritter, Amy Cure and Emilia Fahlin, the time trial engine of Audrey Cordon-Ragot, climbing punch from Eri Yonamine, and the pressure-relieving stage winning capacity of Kirsten Wild.

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio

A rider who can handle herself on almost all terrains, the South African will look to be in contention once the race hits the final mountain stages. Since Mara Abbott retired in 2016, it’s difficult to imagine there is anyone as close to a pure climber in the elite women’s ranks as Moolman-Pasio.

The winner will be known on 15th July, but there will be many twists and turns before then.