There were great celebrations in Olbia, where the 34th edition of the Giro Donne 2023 came to its conclusion. On the long Aldo Moro Avenue, a spectacular sprint took place, totally dominated by Chiara Consonni (UAE Team Adq) who preceded Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo Visma) and Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance Soudal Quick Step).
The 126.5 km stage from Sassari to Olbia passed at high speed from the first hours of the race. An always compact group prevented any escape attempt. At the finishing line in Perfugas, the first to cross was Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Team Adq) who took charge of keeping the pace high throughout. The next phases of the race were heated up by the attacks of Iris Monticolo (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) and Anna Kiesenhofer (Israel Premier Tech). Both riders were reached by the group after a few kilometres.
The most significant attack of the day was by Alessia Vigilia (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) at 30 km from the finish. The rider from Bolzano managed to earn up to 50″ gap over the group, only to be caught in the last 5 km.
Just like last year, the Olbia stage was won in a sprint and Chiara Consonni managed to make best use of the remarkable collaboration by her team.
Celebrations indeed in Sardinia for Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar Team) who won her fourth Giro d’Italia and for two consecutive years. The impressive world champion also prevailed in the point-based ranking and in the best climber ranking. Gaia Realini (Lidl Trek) finished third in the overall ranking and also won the white jersey for the best young athlete, as well as the best Italian athlete ranking to conclude a very successful race.
Stage podium:
- Chiara Consonni (Uae Team Adq) 3:19:33
- Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo Visma) “
- Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance- Soudal Quick Step)
Final GC podium for the overall ranking:
- Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar Team) 24:26:25
- Juliette Labous (Team Dsm Firmenich) 3’56”
- Gaia Realini (Lidl Trek) 4’23″
Cyclamen Jersey: Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar Team)
Green Jersey: Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar Team)
White Jersey: Gaia Realini (Lidl Trek)
Blue Jersey: Gaia Realini (Lidl Trek)
Stage winner Chiara Consonni (Team Uae Adq) said afterwards, “I’m so happy, I really have no words to describe what happened today. This Giro wasn’t easy for me, but my teammates and all the staff have always been there to support me every day. This victory is worth everything to me. It means being able to fulfil the great work of the team. I dedicate it to Marta Bastianelli who ran her last race today. The final kilometre was really hard and stressful, it was difficult to interpret, at a certain point I practically closed my eyes and squeezed all the energy I had left.”
Winner of the 2023 Giro Donne, Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar Team) said, “It’s always special to win a Grand Tour, more so because this is my second tour with the Movistar Team who supported me in everything. These were stressful days, but the team has never abandoned me. Compared to last year I had different teammates around me, but despite that we found a nice harmony allowing me to win the pink jersey. Tonight I will enjoy some celebration, but I am already set to return to Livigno in order to prepare for the Tour De France. I have many beautiful memories with Giro Donne, but I think the greatest of all is the one of my first Giro with a legendary stage on the Stelvio Pass.”
Gaia Realini, winner of “best young athlete” and “best Italian athlete” rankings added. “This year’s tour was magical, I had the support of the whole team, something not to be taken for granted, but it’s vital in cycling, especially when there are some troublesome days affected by the wind or when unexpected events happen. At the start, the captains were Elisa Longo Borghini and Shirin Van Anrooij, then stage after stage I was the best placed in the overall ranking and so the team worked for me. The third podium in the overall ranking and the white jersey for best young athlete represent a great achievement for me and gives me great hope for the coming years. Now all I have to do is grow stronger and stronger.”
Roberto Ruini, General Director of Giro Donne concluded, “It has been a great honour for me to organise the last three editions of Giro D’Italia Donne. It was an adventure in crescendo, bringing us great satisfaction. What makes me most proud is the success in terms of audience who was always present along the streets to applaud the athletes, as well as the many viewers who have followed us in front of the television supporting the competition. I thank Starlight Asd who accompanied me on this beautiful journey.”
Cordiano Dagnoni, president of the Italian Cycling Federation added, “This Giro was a crescendo of emotions. Almost all the stages were won by athletes who did not wear company jerseys, but by national and European champions as well as by the world champion. Great satisfaction and great feelings, the finale was fantastic. The Sardinian Region welcomed us in a glorious way just like the other regions that hosted us. Every stage was guaranteed with maximum safety and the institutions hosting us have also done a great job renovating the roads. I congratulate the organisation who gave us a fantastic edition of the tour, this year we could not ask for better.”
