Defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini is thrilled that the Colle delle Finestre is part of the Giro d'Italia Women. The Italian already knows she wants to line up to climb the Finestre, even though she realizes that the ascent will make a potential third overall victory in the Giro more challenging.
"I really love the course, especially with the finish in Sestrière and the climb over the Colle delle Finestre," she tells CyclingNews. "I have ridden up it often during altitude training camps. It is certain that the Finestre will decide the Giro Women. It was the same with the men and it will be the same for the women. The gravel roads make it a special climb that is tough from start to finish."
"I'm not a pure climber, but I’m happy the Finestre is included in the Giro. The Giro Women needed an iconic climb like the Colle delle Finestre. The Tour de France Femmes has the Ventoux, now we can also show how special the Giro Women can be. I can’t wait to start there."
This year, the Giro Women is scheduled earlier on the racing calendar, from May 30th to June 7th. Starting already during the men’s final weekend, the women’s Giro kicks off. The race begins in Cesenatico and finishes nine days later in Saluzzo.
