Giro Donne

Giro Donne
The is an annual women's cycle stage race around Italy. First held in 1988, the race is currently part of the UCI Women's World Tour, and is currently organised by Starlight / PMG Sport. The race was previously branded as the Giro d'Italia Femminile prior to 2013, and the Giro Rosa from 2013 to 2020.
The race has been considered the most prestigious stage race in women's road cycling, with some teams and media referring to the race as a 'Grand Tour'. However, the race does not meet the UCI definition of such an event.
The rider with the lowest aggregate time is the leader of the general classification and wears the pink jersey. While the general classification gathers the most attention, there are other contests held within the Giro: the points classification for the sprinters, the mountains classification for the climbers, young rider classification for the riders under the age of 23, and the best Italian rider classification. Achieving a stage win also provides prestige, often accomplished by a team's sprint specialist or a rider taking part in a breakaway.
History
The Giro Donne was first held in 1988 as the Giro d'Italia Femminile. The race has historically been a nine- or ten-day event taking place in Italy in early July each year, generally competing for attention with the more famous men's . The race is owned by the Italian Cycling Federation, with organisation of the race outsourced.
With the cancellation of the Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin after 2010, the Giro Donne was the only Grand Tour left in women's cycling, and in December 2012 it was reported that the company Epinike had withdrawn as Giro Donne organiser, making the 2013 edition uncertain.
In April 2013, however, organisers announced they had rebranded the race as the Giro Rosa, taking place over eight days. It returned to its traditional ten-day length the following year. In 2016, the race became part of the new UCI Women's World Tour, organised by the (UCI).
In 2021, the race lost its World Tour status due to the lack of live television coverage during the 2020 edition of the race. The decision to downgrade to a 2.Pro-level stage race was met with criticism. The race used the Giro d'Italia Donne name in 2021, before returning to Giro Donne in 2022. The race returned to World Tour level in 2022, following promises of live television coverage on Eurosport and Rai Sport. The prize money was also increased to €250,000, with €50,000 for the winner of the general classification.
Organisers also stated that they wished to work with the UCI to move the calendar position of the race, so that the race is not overshadowed by the Tour de France.
From 2024, the race will be organised by the men's Giro d'Italia organiser RCS Sport on a four year contract. The 2024 edition of the race will be rebranded to Giro d'Italia Women.
Winners
Multiple winners
Wins per country
Secondary classifications
The awards a number of jerseys for winners of certain classifications – the current competitions that award a jersey are:
(in 2012) Points classification, for the rider with the most points as awarded by finishing positions on stages and the first riders to go through intermediate sprints. Recently, the winner wears the (purple jersey).
Mountains classification, for the rider awarded the most points for crossing designated climbs, generally at the peaks of hills and mountains. The winner wears the (green jersey).
Young rider classification, for the fastest rider under the age of 25 to complete the race. The winner wears the (white jersey).
Best Italian rider classification, for the fastest Italian rider to complete the race. The winner wears the (blue jersey).
In 2006, the young riders classification was not run, instead a sprints competition was won by Olga Slyusareva (RUS) and awarded the blue jersey.
Winners by year
Winners by country
Stage wins
See also
Giro della Toscana Int. Femminile – Memorial Michela Fanini
Tour de France Femmes - a stage race in France
La Vuelta Femenina - a stage race in Spain
Notes
References
External links
(Italian and English)
Cycle races in Italy
Recurring sporting events established in 1988
1988 establishments in Italy
Women's road bicycle races
UCI Women's World Tour races