Fit Marlen Reusser leads Movistar at Giro d'Italia Women

She still had to skip the Vuelta Femenina, but Marlen Reusser will start next Saturday as the leader of Movistar at the Giro d'Italia Women (May 30 to June 7). The 34-year-old Swiss rider will be determined to claim the overall victory, after finishing second in the general classification last year.

Reusser seemed on course for the overall win at last year’s Giro d'Italia, but lost the leader's jersey in the queen stage to Monte Nerone to Elisa Longo Borghini. The Swiss ultimately finished second in the GC, 18 seconds behind the Italian national champion.

The reigning world time trial champion is therefore aiming for sporting revenge, although it remains to be seen whether she can actually contend for the overall victory. Reusser has been out of action for a long time due to a lower back fracture sustained in a heavy crash at the Tour of Flanders. Because of this injury, she had to miss the remaining spring classics and the Vuelta.

Ferguson and Meijer
Within the Movistar camp, the focus is not only on Reusser: with British rising star Cat Ferguson and Arlenis Sierra, the team also has two interesting options for sprint and transition stages. From a Dutch perspective, Mareille Meijer is another rider to watch. Aude Biannic, Francesca Barale, and Ana Vitória Magalhães complete the roster.

While there were eight stages last year, this year’s race will feature nine stages. Covering a total distance of 1153.7 kilometers, it is the longest Giro d'Italia Women since 2001. For the first time in the history of the women's race, the peloton will face the legendary Colle delle Finestre. With an average gradient of 9.2% and the last eight kilometers on gravel roads, this is a very challenging climb.