Vollering wins the 2026 Giro d'Italia Women on the final day
From a disqualified Wiebes to a battle that wasn't decided until the final day: the story behind the 37th Giro d'Italia Women and Demi Vollering's unique achievement.
From Pantani's birthplace to Piedmont
The 37th edition of the Giro d'Italia Women ran from 30 May to 7 June 2026: 9 stages and 1,130.1 kilometres. Fittingly, the race started in Cesenatico, the birthplace of the late Marco Pantani, before the peloton reached the final line nine days later in Saluzzo, Piedmont.
A shockwave on day one: Wiebes disqualified
The race started with drama straight away. Home sprint favourite Lorena Wiebes was disqualified after stage 1 when her bike was found to be 20 grams under the UCI's minimum weight limit at inspection — a bizarre, technical elimination that overshadowed the opening days of this Giro Women.
30 seconds on the final day
The general classification remained tense until the very last stage. On the final day Demi Vollering (FDJ United–Suez) took back the maglia rosa and ultimately won by just 30 seconds over German climber Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//SRAM). Veteran Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx–Protime) completed the podium at 1'37". Vollering also claimed the mountains classification.
With this win, Vollering became only the second woman ever, after Annemiek van Vleuten, to have won all three women's Grand Tours (Giro, Tour, Vuelta) — and two months later she completed an even rarer feat by also winning the 2026 Tour de France Femmes.
Other jerseys and a spring preview
Beyond the GC, there were more storylines. Home rider Elisa Balsamo (Lidl–Trek) won the points classification, while young Canadian Isabella Holmgren (Lidl–Trek) took the young rider classification. Lidl–Trek also claimed the team classification. That riders so young finished so high underlined how fast the level in the women's peloton is rising.
This Giro Women followed a spring in which La Vuelta Femenina 2026 had already found its own winner: Paula Blasi, who won her Grand Tour a few weeks earlier. Two women's Grand Tours, two thrilling conclusions — a sign that women's cycling keeps growing stronger.
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