Wiebes storms to victory and maglia rosa on Giro Women stage 1
There was no stopping the Dutch champion on the opening stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia Women
Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) delivered on her status as favourite, sprinting to victory on the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia Women in Ravenna.
The Dutch champion proved to have too much speed for the competition, beating former world champion Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) into second and Lara Gillespie (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in third.
It marks Wiebes’ sixth career stage win at the Giro in her fourth appearance at the race, and in the process, the Dutch rider has moved into the maglia rosa.
Wiebes will be the favourite for victory on stage 2 with a flat 156km run-in to Caorle, as she aims for a milestone
In taking the opening stage, and her sixth in total at the Giro, Wiebes moved into the race leader’s maglia rosa, and will wear the jersey on a 156km flat second stage to Caorle.
There was a blow for the race on the opening stage as Cat Ferguson (Movistar) was forced to abandon her debut Giro due to a crash in the opening kilometres.
Movistar have confirmed that the 20-year-old British star has been “transported to hospital for further medical assessment."
More to follow...
Result: Giro d'Italia women stage 1
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