Last year a revelation, now Sarah Gigante misses the Giro d'Italia Women

Sarah Gigante was still one of the standout riders in last year's Giro d'Italia Women. The Australian won the two tough mountain stages and finished third in the general classification, but she will not be able to match or improve on that this year. Gigante is still recovering from a fractured thigh and has to miss the upcoming Giro.

Gigante experienced a remarkable 2025, with high peaks and deep valleys. At the beginning of the year, the Australian was still rehabilitating from surgery on her iliac artery, after which she made her comeback and went on to win two stages in the Giro d’Italia and was also one of the main attractions in the Tour de France Femmes. She then hoped to prepare herself for the Road World Championships in Rwanda.

Just under two weeks after the Tour, however, misfortune struck again for Gigante when she crashed during training and broke her thigh. This marked the start of a long rehabilitation period. In January, there were still positive signs from the AG Insurance-Soudal camp, but participation in the Giro d'Italia is still too soon for the 25-year-old Australian climber.

It is still unclear when she will be able to race again and whether she will be ready in time for the Tour de France Femmes (August 1-9). "Her recovery still requires time before she can compete again," reads the statement on the Belgian team's website.

Looking forward to Zigart, De Schepper, and Ghekiere
In Gigante's absence, the team is mainly counting on Urška Žigart (seventh in the recent Vuelta Femenina), Mireia Benito (fourth in the recent Ronde van Burgos), Lore De Schepper, and Belgian champion Justine Ghekiere. Ilse Pluimers, Julie Van De Velde, and Gladys Verhulst-Wild complete the Giro lineup.