It's time for the second grand tour of the women's calendar. Placed a few weeks before the Paris Olympics, the startlist is lacking a bit in firepower, but the route most certainly is not. After languishing for a few under the previous organizers, the first year under the purview of RCS sees a welcome return to the challenging courses of years past. A decade ago, the Giro was the premier race stage race on the women's calendar; with the fumbling of television coverage by the previous organizers in the last few years and the concurrent re-introduction of the Tour de France Femmes, that's no longer the case. But, it is likely the hardest stage race on this year's calendar. Let's take a look at the key stages:
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| Race map from procyclingstats.com |
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Eight stages in total, most of them featuring the Apennines.
A short-ish ITT kicks things off. Reusser has scratched, so we'll probably see Kopecky take the leader's jersey here.
The third stage features the first real climbing test of the race. It's long, but not very steep, so I'm not sure the pure climbers will quite have their day here.
No big climbs, but stage 4 should be raced aggressively and will be selective.
A similar story for stage 6; it's up-and-down all day with little respite; this stage will be more selective than it looks.
The big mountain test occurs on stage 7; here, the pure climbers will finally have their day.
The last stage is another lumpy one; it could be a day for the break.
Contenders
ELISA LONGO BOURGHINI -- The Italian has had an exceptional season to date, and this race will have been the season target with the Olympics. Also in favor is the strength of the team Lidl-Trek are bringing; on paper, it looks to be the best support squad. All the stages are well suited to the Italian with the exception of the Blockhaus stage, where the final climb might be a bit long. She could also face some internal competition from...
GAIA REALINI -- Winless on the season, but looked much improved in Suisse last month. She should be the best on stage 7, but the opening time trial could pose issues. I also don't see Lidl-Trek giving her the nod over Longo Bourghini, but we'll see.
NEVE BRADBURY -- The Australian has been one of the revelations on the season, with GC podiums at the Tour Down Under, UAE, and Suisse. Climbing very well right now, a podium is also very much in play here.
KIM CADZOW -- Another revelation of the season, the opening TT will be in her favor. However, I see the Blockhaus stage being a bridge too far for now.
JULIETTE LABOUS -- Very consistent so far this season, but another with no wins to show for it...excepting the French road race championships! This will likely be a building block to the Paris Olympics, but she is one of the best climbers on paper, so a podium should be in the crosshairs.
LOTTE KOPECKY -- Claims she's not here to win the overall, but it might just end up happening. Every stage is in her favor with the exception of the Blockhaus stage...but, given her ascent on the Tourmalet last year, she might not lose that much time. She could still very much end up winning the overall with the explicit target.
Prediction
Lotte Kopecky for the win on stage 1. Overall, the predicted podium is Longo Bourghini, Kopecky, and Labous, in that order.
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