Stage 2 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia Women, a 92-kilometer ride from Clusone to Aprica, delivered high drama and a shake-up in the general classification. Anna Henderson of Lidl-Trek claimed victory after a bold long-range breakaway, outsprinting her fellow escapee Dilyxine Miermont of Ceratizit Pro Cycling on the uphill finish. Soraya Paladin of Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto rounded out the podium, finishing third after leading the reduced peloton across the line 26 seconds behind the front duo.
The stage unfolded with intensity from the midway point, as Henderson and Miermont attacked with around 41 kilometers remaining. The pair quickly established a sizeable gap over the peloton and worked efficiently together as they approached the long, gradual climb into Aprica. With the final ascent averaging a manageable three percent gradient over 22 kilometers, the breakaway had just enough margin to hold off the chase, despite the best efforts of teams like UAE Team ADQ and Movistar to close it down.
Behind the leaders, the general classification favorites began to test one another. Marlen Reusser, who started the day in the Maglia Rosa, launched an attack on the final climb in an effort to limit the damage from the break. Her move briefly fragmented the main group, distancing several pre-race contenders including Lotte Kopecky and Marianne Vos. Reusser’s effort ensured she finished with the peloton, but she couldn’t prevent Henderson from taking the race lead thanks to the time gap and bonus seconds at the finish.
In the final kilometer, Miermont led the sprint into Aprica, but Henderson timed her acceleration perfectly, surging past her breakaway companion in the final 200 meters to take the stage win and secure her first Maglia Rosa of this year’s Giro. Paladin showed strong form to take third in the sprint behind them, while Reusser crossed the line safely within the main group but surrendered the pink jersey.
With the stage victory and time bonuses, Anna Henderson now leads the general classification, 15 seconds ahead of Reusser, with Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ sitting third overall. Henderson also takes the points and mountains classifications, though the jerseys will be worn by the next riders on those leaderboards for Stage 3.
Stage 2 was a turning point in the race, rewarding aggressive riding and reshaping the battle for pink. The road to Trento in Stage 3 promises further tests for the climbers and GC hopefuls, but for now, it is Henderson who leads the charge into the Alps.
HIGHLIGHTS
RESULTS
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
