30.05.2026 World-Tour, News, Race news

CHIARA 4TH ON THE LINE, UPGRADED TO 3RD IN GIRO D’ITALIA OPENER

Chiara Consonni was left wanting more from stage 1 of the Giro d’Italia Women, charging to fourth after launching her sprint from further back than she would have liked.

Vying for seventh wheel inside the final 500m, Chiara found herself several bike lengths behind the key contenders, including sprint queen Wiebes (SDW) and Balsamo (LTK), but fought to the line to salvage what she could, just shy of an on-the-road podium finish.

Following the post-stage relegation of Wiebes, Chiara was promoted to third in the official results.

The opening day of a stage race delivers an additional incentive; it is one of the most straightforward, but also one of the most hard-fought opportunities to secure the first overall race lead. It’s there for the taking, no strings attached – just a ~150-rider peloton to negotiate. Today, first across the line would take the win and the honour of pulling on the prestigious maglia rosa.

The flat 139km course began on the Adriatic coast, heading north from Cesenatico for 3.5 laps of a tight and technical circuit around Ravenna. It was a route tailor-made for the sprinters – any other outcome would have been a major upset.

During the initial lead-in phase, teams were strung out at the head of the peloton, steadily reducing the gap to the early breakaway while maintaining position ahead of the nervously anticipated entrance to the finishing circuit.

From that point on, speed, tension, and bunch bedlam all continued to rise, as the battle for pink intensified through the fast and technical final 50km.

Riders fought for every metre and position on the road until the very end, where the sprinting cream rose to the top. Wiebes initially crossed the line first, with Balsamo and Gillespie (UAE) completing the provisional podium. After review, Balsamo was awarded the stage victory and the first coveted pink jersey.

Here’s how Chiara reflected after the stage, not yet aware that she would be elevated to third:

“When we entered the circuit, it was really chaotic. Everyone wanted to stay in front – not only the sprinters but also the GC riders. It was really hectic because every team wanted to be up there and not lose seconds. Then we lost each other around the parcours, and I tried to stay as much in front as possible.

In the end, we knew that whoever followed Lorena would be second. So, I tried to take the wheel, but in the last kilometre I lost two or three positions. I started sprinting and came back close to the podium.

I’m feeling good. My legs are good and of course, tomorrow is another shot with a sprint stage. We also need to try to perfect more our lead-out, so we can try again and see.”

Stage 2 is another day with sprinters’ names written all over it – 156km with 521m of elevation gain. The Muro di Ca’ del Poggio (1km at 12.1%) at the 90km mark is the sole difficulty of the day, peloton dynamics aside. It’s also a special stage for Soraya Paladin, who will look to soak up the atmosphere at the intermediate sprint located outside her parents’ house, and again at the party waiting on the steep ascent.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Live coverage is available on TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO Max, FloBikes, SBS, RAI and other national broadcasters. Follow the race each day on X using #GirodItaliaWomen and #UCIWWT, and stay updated with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto via our social channels.

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