My Women's Cycling Tumblr

The race is too vital to women’s cycling to disappear. Last year it celebrated its 23rd edition. Emma Pooley (AA Drink) finished behind winner Marianne Vos (Rabobank).

“It would be terrible for women’s cycling if our Giro stopped, it’s the toughest and most glorious stage race we have,” Pooley said.

“I know the organiser Sara Brambilla has done a fantastic job over the last few years to get the race together in tough times, but I don’t think it’s been easy for her. I’m afraid the job of women’s race organisers is made more difficult because the relative lack of media coverage means that it’s very difficult to get sponsors involved.”

Una bellissima notizia! #girodonne is safe, and it will take place from the 28th June to the 7th July! #CICLISMO fb.me/1U3RsP2Za

February 27, 2013

Women’s cycling could be set to lose arguably the biggest stage race on its calendar in 2013 as the organiser of the last three editions of the Giro d’Italia Femminile - the Giro Donne - is stepping away, according to wielerrevue.nl. The ten day race, which is as close as the women’s peloton has to a Grand Tour, has been run since 1988 [although there was no race in 1991 or 1992 - ed], with the last two editions won by Marianne Vos.

The Giro Donne itself is owned by the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI), but the organisation is outsourced to an outside organisation. Sovico, Lombardy, based event organiser Epinike has run the race since 2010 - having signed a three year deal with the FCI to do so - but has decided not to apply for any further editions.

“We have had a positive experience, but we are now focusing on other things,” Epinike representative Sara Brambilla told Wieler Revue. “It was felt that there have been some beautiful Giros in recent years, but has been a bit hard for all the women to do.”

no pockets on a skinsuit makes it hard to store food, unless you’re smart like @Avvleuten & you turn your race nos. into pockets @GiroDonne

— Bridie O’Donnell (@Bridie_OD) July 28, 2012

Before the Giro Donne started, it looked like it might be less exciting that previous years. One less stage, and no enormous mountain like the Stelvio or the Mortirolo this year. But who needs giant mountains, when you have imaginative race organisers, uphill finishes aplenty, and riders who love to make the racing explosive, whatever the parcours? It was a fantastic race, and below the jump, I’ll tell you my favourite highlights of this year’s Giro - with lots of video and links - and of course, add your own, and see other people’s - in the comments!
Dancing Riders

I’m going to start with all the dancing teams. Be Pink started it, with their daily dancing at the race sign-ons, then there was Evie Stevens’ Happy Dance after winning Stage 3, and by the end of the race, everyone was at it! Check out the start of this video!

Thanks everyone for participating in the Q&A sessions & @ImpetusAgency @FujiBikes & @TeamDiadoraZara for making it possible. #womenscycling

— Amber Pierce (Rais) (@ambermalika) July 8, 2012