After the Under 26 men cyclists have departed on what is commonly known as the "Baby Giro", the elite women pro's will also get under way in their version of the Giro d'Italia. From June 30-July 9, the female road champions will complete 891 kilometres from start town Formello to Magreglio on the famous Madonna del Ghisallo climb.
A short first time trial over 5.2 kilometres will inaugurate this year's event, which will then see two fast, flat stages to begin with. Serious business begins in stage four to Arezzo, as the first hard climb will be tackled with the Foce di Scopetone. The next day around Pescia will see three ascents of the Montecarlo climb, but the hardest part of the race is yet to come: Stages 6-8 will all be challenging courses, and the last day will be characterized as a "gran finale" with the Ghisallo as the last race-decisive mountain.
