Giro d'Italia Women 2026 stage 8 cut short by ice risk, Vollering claims win

Stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia Women 2026 took place on 6 June, routing 105 km from Rivoli to Sestriere and featuring the first women’s ascent of the iconic Colle delle Finestre. The climb, 18 km long with an average 9.3 % gradient and an eight‑kilometre gravel section, was expected to be the queen stage and a decisive moment for the general‑classification battle between maglia rosa Anna van der Breggen and her closest challenger Demi Vollering.

During the climb a block of unstable ice roughly 150 m above the road threatened to fall onto the route. Race officials deemed the risk too great and shortened the stage, moving the finish line to a point about one kilometre below the summit. The stage distance was reduced to 76.5 km, and riders were later transferred to Sestriere for the official ceremony.

Demi Vollering broke away on the steep, gravel‑covered section and rode alone to the altered finish, securing the stage win. Anna van der Breggen finished closely behind, retaining the maglia rosa. Other contenders such as Antonia Niedermaier, Isabella Holmgren and Elisa Longo Borghini were also present but could not change the overall standings.