Sarah Gigante secures dream podium finish at Giro d’Italia Women

Sarah Gigante has celebrated a breakthrough performance on debut at the Giro d’Italia Women becoming the fifth Australian to finish on the podium.   

The Australian climber enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign at the eight-day race – winning two stages, including the queen stage, and the maglia azzurra mountains classification. Her AG Insurance-Soudal squad also claimed the team classification. 

Italian veteran Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) won her second consecutive Giro title ahead of Swiss powerhouse Marlen Reusser (Movistar), with Gigante rounding out the podium – 1:11 adrift of the defending champion.  

Gigante’s performance against some of the best in the business comes months after undergoing surgery and enduring a long period on the sidelines to  correct iliac artery endofibrosis. 

“I never expected to experience such a successful Giro. I have to thank everyone who supported me on this journey,” she said.  

“Thinking back to a few months ago, after surgery and a long recovery, I would’ve never imagined I’d make it this far. I’m heading back to Australia full of joy, and I can’t wait to share these emotions with my family. It’s been a beautiful Giro.”  

The 24-year-old proved she was by far the strongest climber at this year’s Giro, unmatched in the mountains.  

Her first win came on stage four when she rode solo to victory after attacking the leading group 1.5km from the finish to Pianezze. Then on stage seven – the toughest stage of the edition with more than 3500m of elevation gain – Gigante put on another dominant climbing display on the Monte Nerone.

With Longo Borghini up the road solo, Gigante attacked from the main group with six kilometres to go before catching the Italian champion and quickly dropping her, to claim her second stage win.  

 Gigante follows in the steps of compatriot Neve Bradbury who also finished third overall at last year’s Giro, and won the queen stage.  

Main image: LaPress/Giro d'Italia Women