Human Powered Health Cycling is in Italy for the Giro d’Italia Women, from July 6 through 13.
La Corsa Rosa is one of the longest-running stage races in women’s cycling, with one of the richest histories, making the fight for the pink leader’s jersey – Maglia Rosa – one of the most exhilarating of the season.
Starting with a time trial in Bergamo, the GC gauntlet will immediately be laid down with a mountain top finish on stage 2. The route then snakes through the north of Italy, taking in more mountain days, a solitary sprint stage, and a final tripleheader – a battle in the hills of Marche, a mountain top finish to Monte Nerone, and a final stage epic to the Imola Formula 1 race track (no Brad Pitt this time).
Human Powered Health brings a strong roster anchored by a host of Italians. Climber Barbara Malcotti is joined by Pan American TT champion Ruth Edwards, Yurani Blanco, Giada Borghesi, Carlotta Cipressi, Katia Ragusa, and sprinter Silvia Zanardi.
How to watch
USA
Max with via the B/R Sports Add-On and FloBikes from 6:50 am ET / 5:50 am CT / 4:50 am MT / 3:50 am PT
UK
TNT Sports/Discovery+ from 11:50 am BST
Europe
Eurosport/Discovery+ from 12:50 am CET
This will be Barbara Malcotti’s third Giro with the team, and she is excited for the test.
“Last year I said the Giro was one of the hardest editions, but this year it is even tougher,” says Malcotti. “Stage 2 will already start to define the GC. It can be chaotic because some people need to warm up their legs. It’s straight after a TT, it’s short, and the uphill starts at 10 km, so it will be an important beginning.”
Malcotti was 15th overall at the Giro in 2024 and has added an impressive haul of results already in 2025.
“I hope to get a good result,” she added. “I grew up this year on the bike, so I can play my card at this Giro. I aim to get the best result I can because of all the effort I put into my personal life and on the bike to get ready for the Giro.”
One Italian countrywoman joining her is Giada Borghesi. The 22-year-old joined the team ahead of the 2024 Giro and immediately made an impression, scoring sixth place on stage 4. She then ended the year with the runner-up spot at the WorldTour Tour of Guangxi in China.
“I am excited to return to the Giro d’Italia. It is one of the most beautiful events of the season,” says Borghesi. “Exactly one year ago, I joined the team and realized my dream of becoming a professional. Over the past year, I learned a lot and achieved great results with the team, and overcame two major injuries.”
Borghesi took these challenges head-on.
“The most significant was in January, when I dislocated my patella: an injury that has affected my entire season so far,” she explains. “It has forced me to chase my form and focus on recovery. It was a difficult start to 2025, but I am proud of how I reacted and grateful for the team’s support. The best is yet to come.”
Stage 3 is a special day for the Italian as it traverses her home region.
“When I found out that stage 3 would pass so close to home, I couldn’t believe it!” she exclaimed. “It will be such an emotional day. We’ll ride just one kilometer from my house, and we will finish in Trento, where I usually train. Having my family, friends, and so many supporters along the road will make it even more special. I can’t wait.”
Giro d’Italia Women Stage by Stage
7/6 Stage 1 | Bergamo – Bergamo (14.2 km) ITT
Just like in 2024, we start with an individual time trial. This time we’re on the beautiful streets of Bergamo for a long course that will suit specialists. There are twists and turns throughout, and a short climb with pitches of 10% before a flat-out run-in to the center of the city.
7/7 Stage 2 | Clusone – Aprica (92 km) Mountains
The 2025 Giro doesn’t hang about and immediately gets into the mountains on day two. The stage is under 100 km but has a long drag up to the finish at Aprica. It will be tackled in tiers, with a 3.1 km stretch at 6.4% in the middle, followed by an undulating road to the finish. An early GC throwdown.
7/8 Stage 3 | Vezza d’Oglio – Trento (122 km) Medium Mountains
Giada Borghesi’s home stage cuts through the stunning valleys of Trentino. The major test comes right at the start with the 8.4 km at 6.2% Passo del Tonale. It tops out with over 100 km left to race on descending and then flat roads, giving ample time for the sprinters to make contact and go for the win in Trento.
7/9 Stage 4 | Castello – Pianezze (142 km) Mountains
Stage 4 sees the first categorized mountain finish. After a rolling day, the peloton tackles the 10.8 km at 7.5% climb to Pianezze. Twisty and sharp, its ramps will slowly soften and thin out the group. A survival stage for many.
7/10 Stage 5 | Imirano – Monselice (120 km) Flat
Stage 5 is a red-letter day for Silvia Zanardi as it’s the only nailed-on sprint stage. The only trickiness comes in two laps of a circuit which has left and right 90-degree turns inside the final kilometer. Navigating these in a good position will be key for a strong result.
7/11 Stage 6 | Bella-Igea Marina – Terra Roveresche (145 km) Medium Mountains
We’re on the Adriatic coast for stage 6, which takes in five rolling climbs before a final 800 meter, 7.9% climb up to a three-kilometer plateau to the finish. If the fight for pink has already made itself known, this could be a day for a strong breakaway to make it to the line.
7/12 Stage 7 | Fermignano – Monte Nerone (150 km) Mountains
At 150 km with 3,796 meters of climbing, the penultimate day is both the longest and highest on the 2025 route. Eight rolling hills will be navigated before the final 14.6 km climb to Monte Nerone. The final 7.9 km are at 7.9% and will certainly bite. All the pre-Giro altitude training will be called upon here.
7/13 Stage 8 | Forli – Imola (134 km) Medium Mountains
There’s no procession at the Giro with the final stage packing in 2,369 meters of climbing. Laps of the Imola area take in the steep Mozzolano and Cima Gallisterna climbs four times before a run-in to the finish line at the Imola racecourse. A track steeped in motorsport and cycling history, there’s no better place to crown the final Maglia Rosa.
