2 June 2026 · News
Balsamo in pink, and the climbers waiting their turn
Three stages in, Balsamo's in pink and the climbers are waiting their turn. Here's the Women's Giro so far, and how to watch.
The 2026 Giro d'Italia Women is three stages deep and already feels like a fortnight of racing.
Elisa Balsamo (Lidl–Trek) is in the maglia rosa after taking stages 1 and 2 where the first was inherited after stage 1 winner Lorena Wiebes was ruled out following a contested finish in Ravenna, the second won outright into Caorle. Two days, two bunch finishes, two sets of bonus seconds for the Italian, who sits eight seconds clear of Lara Gillespie heading into Buja.
That's just the prologue. The real GC fight starts from Tuesday.
Stage 4 is a 12.7km uphill time trial to Nevegal which is short enough to dismiss, but vicious enough to crack open the overall. Stage 5 is the first Dolomite day, with Passo Tre Croci and Passo Sant'Antonio in the front half. And then there's stage 8 into Sestriere, the Queen Stage, sending the race over the Colle delle Finestre. If you only watch one day, watch that one.
The names to track for pink in Saluzzo on Sunday:
- Demi Vollering (FDJ–Suez) was the favourite on paper coming in.
- Defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) won't be easy to shake on home roads.
- Anna van der Breggen is back at the front of the sport with SD Worx–Protime, and
- Marlen Reusser arrives in Movistar colours with the form to do damage on the Nevegal climb and again on the Finestre.
How to watch
Every stage is live and free on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand, with replays, highlights and 30 minute minis if you missed the finish live.
Race finishes Sunday 7 June in Saluzzo. Nine stages, a week of racing, and a GC that's about to crack wide open.
