Trek-Segafredo fields star-studded team to race Giro d’Italia Virtual
Trek-Segafredo will take part in the first-ever Giro d’Italia Virtual Women’s Pro race, an event that kicks off this Saturday, April 18th and will cover 7 iconic stages of the recently postponed 2020 Giro d’Italia.
The challenge is open to men and women’s pro teams but also the general public and aims to raise funds for the Italian Red Cross via participant donations.
Lizzie Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini will headline Trek-Segafredo’s team* which will go up against Movistar, Astana and the women’s Italian national cycling team in the virtual quest to seize the iconic Maglia Rosa.
It will be the first “race” for the professional women since the COVID-19 pandemic put the road racing calendar on hold and a much-welcomed opportunity for visibility for women’s cycling.
“Women cycling is constantly growing and it’s nice to see a Virtual Giro for women and giving the female professional cyclists the opportunity to compete even during this lockdown period,” said Trek-Segafredo General Manager Luca Guercilena. “We are looking forward to being competitive and selecting a perfect roster to win it!”
“I’m excited to take part in the Giro d’Italia Virtual. It’s a good exposure for Women’s cycling especially because we don’t have any races in sight in the near future. I think this is a significant and much appreciated initiative by RCS. What makes me really happy is that we will be racing for a good cause: raising funds for the Italian Red Cross which is the frontlines fighting the coronavirus emergency.”
Elisa Longo Borghini
The Pro Women’s classification will be ranked by team rather than individually and the seven stages will be based on sections of the now-postponed ‘real’ Giro d’Italia.
The Pro Women’s competition will run alongside the Pro Men’s with both fields racing the exact same seven-stages, the last of which will be held on May 10th.
The following jerseys, awarded to both male and female participants according to two distinct rankings, are up for grabs:
Maglia Rosa: the jersey is awarded to the winner based on the stage classification at the end of each stage, and to the winner of the Giro based on the General Classification at the end of the Giro d’Italia Virtual.
Maglia Bianca: the jersey is awarded to the UNDER 26 winner based on the stage classification at the end of each stage, and to the UNDER 26 winner of the Giro based on the General Classification at the end of the Giro d’Italia Virtual.
Maglia Garmin: the jersey is awarded at the end of each stage at the rider hitting the highest speed during that stage. The jersey will also be awarded to the fastest rider of the Giro d’Italia Virtual based on the general classification at the end of the Giro d’Italia Virtual.
The Giro d’Italia Virtual stages:
Stage 1: April 18-21
• 32.1km/480m ascent
• Based on stage 10, San Salvo – Tortoreto
Stage 2: April 22-24
• 32.7km / 980m ascent
• Based on stage 12, Cesenatico – Cesenatico
Stage 3: April 25-28
• 26.9km / 550m ascent
• One lap, finishing circuit of stage 16, Udine – San Daniele del Friuli
Stage 4: April 29-May 1
• 25.9km/930m ascent
• Based on stage 17, Bassano del Grappa – Madona di Campiglio
Stage 5: May 2-5
• 30km / 710m ascent
• Based on stage 18, Pinzolo – Laghi di Cancano (Stelvio)
Stage 6: May 6-8
• 31.5km / 1,180m ascent
• Final section of stage 20, Alba – Sestriere
Stage 7: May 9-10
• 15.7km 30m ascent
• Full stage 21 Milan ITT