The Giro d'Italia Women is the oldest and most demanding stage race in the women's calendar, first run in 1988 and long regarded as the unofficial grand tour of the sport. It is decided in the high mountains, on Dolomite and Alpine passes where the race regularly explodes into open climbing duels. Fabiana Luperini set the standard with five overall victories in the 1990s and 2000s, and the modern roll of honour reads like a list of the greatest riders of their eras. Marianne Vos, Anna van der Breggen and Annemiek van Vleuten have all worn the pink jersey here, often after long-range attacks that decided the race days from the finish. The 2026 race moves to June and runs over nine stages. It remains the title the climbers most want on their palmarès.