We are just over 2 weeks from the return of the women’s SanRemo, a much awaited addition to the women’s cycling calendar. It has taken years of planning and negotiation to enable this new race to happen and today the route of Sanremo Women presented by Crédit Agricole was unveiled at Palazzo Regione Liguria. It has been two decades since the last edition of the Classicissima for women. On Saturday, March 22, the same day as the men’s race, Ligurian roads – in the year it holds the title of European Region of Sport – will welcome the world’s best riders. The return of the race is so significant that it has already been immediately included in the UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar. Among the top riders already confirmed are World Champion Lotte Kopecky, Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini, and 2023 Strade Bianche Women Elite & Tour de France Femmes winner Demi Vollering.
The Route
The route of the Sanremo Women starts in Genova, crosses the area of the Porto Antico (the old harbour), runs around the Polcevera stream and reaches Sestri Ponente, where it enters the Statale Aurelia. After a few kilometres, in Voltri, the race merges with the men’s course, following it all the way to the finish, along the route that has connected Milan to Sanremo for over 110 years. This route continues westwards, by the sea, following the Statale Aurelia through Varazze, Savona, Albenga and Imperia. In San Lorenzo al Mare, past the classic sequence of the Capi (Mele, Cervo and Berta), the peloton will negotiate the two climbs that have entered the race route in recent decades: the Cipressa (1982) and the Poggio di Sanremo (1961).
The Cipressa is 5.6 km long with a gradient of 4.1%. The highly testing descent leads back down to SS 1 Aurelia.
The ascent of Poggio di Sanremo begins with 9 km remaining to the finish (3.7 km, average gradient less than 4%, maximum 8% in the segment before getting to the top of the climb). The road is slightly narrower, with 4 hairpin turns in the first 2 km. We all know that the descent is testing, on asphalt switchback roads, narrow at points and with twists and turns as far as the junction with SS 1 Aurelia and can be the most important part of any SanRemo. The final part of the descent enters urban Sanremo. The last 2 km are on long, straight urban roads. There is a left-hand bend on a roundabout 850 m from the finish line. The last bend, leading into the tarmac home straight on the famed Via Roma, is 750 m from the finish line.
This race is sure to be hotly contested and global fans will be keen to find out the winner on that most famous of roads in Italy.
Involved in so many of the negotiations to make the race happen, Giusy Virelli, Director of Sanremo Women said “The return of Sanremo Women is an important milestone for women’s cycling, which continues to grow and claim the recognition it deserves—both within the sport and across the broader Italian sporting movement. This race is not only a high-level sporting event but also a decisive step in acknowledging the significance and value of women’s cycling on a global scale. Seeing the best riders in the world compete on the same roads that have shaped the history of Milano-Sanremo sends a powerful message: the future of cycling is increasingly inclusive and thrilling. Our mission will be to elevate this event’s visibility and prestige on the world stage”.
The beautiful area of Liguria is looking forward to the race. Simona Ferro, Regional Councillor for Sport and Equal Opportunities, Liguria Region said “Milano-Sanremo is finally doubling up, and fittingly so, in the year when Liguria has been named the European Region of Sport. This historic comeback has been long-awaited by the local area and by fans of this extraordinary discipline. Sanremo Women will allow us to promote sports, enhance the natural beauty of our region, and convey an important message on equal opportunities. In 2025 and beyond, Liguria aims to become a region increasingly tailored to athletes, ensuring that both male and female champions in cycling—and all sports—have the same opportunities to challenge themselves and achieve great milestones.”
You can find out which teams will be taking part by reading our previous story on the reveal: https://voxwomen.com/teams-for-italian-classics-named/
