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The final stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia Women delivered a Grand Tour finale for the ages. A day characterized by all-out attacking and high-stakes drama saw the maglia rosa change hands at the last gasp, concluding with Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) capturing her first-ever Giro title and Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) securing an emotional stage victory.
Photo Courtesy: Giro A Day of Strategic Warfare
Heading into the 145km final stage in Saluzzo, four-time winner Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-ProTime) held a seemingly comfortable 49-second lead over Vollering. However, FDJ United-SUEZ blew the race apart early, isolating the favorites before the category one Montoso climb.
A powerful trio consisting of Longo Borghini, Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM), and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek) countered, establishing a dangerous gap. Behind them, a tactical stalemate ensued; Vollering and Van der Breggen initially refused to cooperate, briefly propelling Niedermaier into the virtual race lead.
Vollering’s Brutal Acceleration
The race reached its boiling point on the final climb of the Colletta di Brondello. Vollering launched a fierce, sustained acceleration that buckled Van der Breggen. Risking everything, the European champion bridged across to the lead group with 30km remaining.
As Van der Breggen toiled over two minutes behind alongside Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike), Vollering and her breakaway companions collaborated smoothly to solidify the gap, safely securing Vollering’s historic General Classification victory.
Longo Borghini’s Emotional Comeback
At the finish line, Fisher-Black opened the sprint, but it was Longo Borghini who used her veteran experience and speed to surge past for the stage win. Having battled severe illness over the past three months, the Italian champion was visibly ecstatic.
“This means much more than a win. This is a comeback,” Longo Borghini shared post-race. “I felt this anger coming inside me and I was like, I have nothing to lose… I just wanted to win.”
2026 Giro d’Italia Women: Final Classification and Results
With her triumph, the 29-year-old Vollering becomes only the second woman in cycling history—after Annemiek van Vleuten—to complete the career Grand Tour triple crown, adding the pink jersey to her previous Tour de France Femmes and Vuelta Femenina titles.
Niedermaier’s aggressive racing rewarded her with a brilliant second place overall, while a depleted Van der Breggen dropped to third on the final podium.
Stage 9 Top 3
Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) UAE ADQ – 3:45:09
Niamh Fisher-Black (NZl) Lidl-Trek – same time
Antonia Niedermaier (Ger) Canyon-SRAM – +2s
Final General Classification
Demi Vollering (Ned) FDJ United–Suez – 29:54:19
Antonia Niedermaier (Ger) Canyon-SRAM – +30s
Anna van der Breggen (Ned) SD Worx–Protime – +1:37
Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) UAE ADQ – +2:44
Niamh Fisher-Black (NZl) Lidl-Trek – +3:26
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