As it happened: A dramatic late change in the overall after stage 9 of the Giro d'Italia Women deals a pulsating game of poker on wheels
It's anything but a parade stage with 2,100 metres of total elevation gain on the 145km Saluzzo loop, marking a tough finale where the overall winner will be crowned
Good morning and welcome to stage 9 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia Women. Stay with us for all the updates from the deciding day of the race.
We're still in the north west of Italy for the final day of the race, on the very edge of the Alpes Maritimes, starting and finishing in Saluzzo. We roll for 145km at 13:15CET.
We've got almost 2,100m of climbing today, as we flirt with the mountains.
Can Vollering deliver enough to overtake Van der Breggen?
But what about stage yesterday? The Colle Delle Finestre brought drama on and above the road.
If the race stays together over the early climbs, former British champion, Pfeiffer Georgi (Picnic-PostNL) could be good for today's stage.
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It was all smiles for Alessia Vigilia (UNO-X Mobility) and her friends and family before the start.
We've got 4.4km of neutral before the real fun starts and the riders are rolling.
Looks like we'll see high temperatures of about 25º, though not a lot of sunshine. There's not a lot of a chance of rain and, once again, not a lot of wind.
The official start
Here we go. The flag has dropped and the final stage is on!
It looks like there was some tension before they set off.
There's one non-starter this morning, Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) has withdrawn.
We've got another flat start to the stage today, before the day's first category climb to Montoso starts after 45 km. Following the descent there's the third category Colletta di Paesana, with the second category Colletta di Brondello to finish.
The final climb tops out 38.9km from the finish, but there's an uphill intermediate front at Colletta di Rossana 24km out which could prove a brilliant launch pad for someone. Anything could happen today.
140km to go
As it has been for the last few days, it's fast at the front but no attacks have managed to stick just yet.
These opening kilometres are slightly downhill and the current average speed is 60km/h!
It's flattened out now, so perhaps we'll see a breakaway now.
There were mixed feelings for Demi Volllering after she won a shortened stage 8 on Saturday.
"It really changed the plans we had," the FDJ United-SUEZ rider said.
There's been a crash in the peloton, though we have never detail as yet.
Crash in the peloton
Riders from UAE Team ADQ, Isolmant-Premac-Vittoria, EF Education-Oatly, Vini Fantini-BePink and UNO-X Mobility are involved in the crash.
The coming kilometres are a draggy false flat, there are no steep gradients though.
120km to go
The race has eased significantly from earlier, but they're still along at 41km/h. We saw this yesterday, the high pace due to the number of riders wanting to get up the road.
It's only 20km to the start of the main climb of the day, so if a breakaway does get up the road we say see a repeat of yesterday, when they are caught on the lower slopes, not long after they got away.
We had a breakway, with Thalita de Jong (Human Powered Health), Josie Nelson (Picnic-PostNL) and the UNO-X Mobility pair of Mie Bjøndal Ottestad and Alessia Vigilia up the road, but they're caught.
Meanwhile, Olympic and US champion, Kritsen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly) abandon the race.
Organisers did their best in difficult circumstances after an avalanche on the Colle delle Finestre on Saturday.
"It was absolutely unforeseeable," said RCS Sports Paolo Bellino.
110km to go
The bottom of the Montoso climb is in 10.5km, if any breakaway gets a gap before then I think it'll be short-lived. One might go after the climb, though that depends on how the climb is ridden.
Anna van der Breggen admitted to having to change plans half way up the Colle delle Finestre yesterday.
She admitted it required a mental switch to "suffering more."
We're approaching the day's first climb, the first category ascent to Montoso and it's a tough one. It's 8.9km long with an average gradient 9.4%, though the tougher slopes come later on, making it a real challenge. Vollering, Niedermaier and Holmgren need to make a difference today, can they do it here, so far from the finish?
SD Worx-Protime are making a statement, leading the race towards the base of the climb.
100km to go
We're close to the base of the climb and there is no breakaway, making this a fascinating stage. You can bet riders will be getting dropped as this ascent wears on, with the selection coming from the back.
This isn't one of those steep but steady climbs, the gradient fluctuates so it's difficult to get a rhythm going. But after a relatively easy introduction it's hard all the way.
Demi Vollering's FDJ United-SUEZ head to the front and set the pace. They'll have one aim and that's to pressure Anna van der Breggen and hopefully isolate her.
If they can drop Valentina Cavallar here Vollering will be in a great position to win the GC.
Attack form Vollering. That's early and with more than 90km to go.
Van der Breggen and Elisa Longo Borghini(UAE Team ADQ) go with Vollering's move.
The pace at the front has really opened the back door and there are riders all over the mountain.
The top of the climb comes with 90.8km to go and, with 3km to go there's a group of around 10 riders in the front group, including all the favourites.
90km to go
Still 10 riders remain at the front, though we can expect that to increase on the descent.
It's tight, twisty and steep on the way down, a good descender could make a difference here.
The lead group consists of Vollering and Lauren Dickson (FDJ United-SUEZ), Van der Breggen and Valentina Cavallar (SD Worx-Protime), Longo Borghini, Isabella Holmgren and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-Sram) and Fenke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike).
In that group it's Valentina Cavallar, not Cecchini, also Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oalty) is also there.
Vollering, Dickson, Van der Breggen, Cavallar, Niedermaier, Longo Borghini, Holmgren, Fisher-Black, De Vries and Vallieres lead the race.
Lore De Schepper (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Marlen Reusser (Movistar)are not together, but are chasing on the descent.
Valentina Cavallar is not a great descender and this is a tough descent, she is dropped from the leading group, though she's not yet caught by De Schepper.
We are now geting reports that World Champion, Vallieres is not in that lead group, but with Reusser instead.
The descent is a long and technical one, will Cavallar be close enough to get back on once they hit the valley? If she's caught by Reusser and the others they can form a strong chasing group, but will they work?
Again, a change in the information we're receiving.
We have two leaders, Cavallar and Dickson are off the front, with Vollering, Van der Breggen, Niedermaier, Longo Borghini, Holmgren, Fisher-Black, De Vries in the favourites' group.
Reusser, De Schepper and Vallieres are behind them.
Vollering, Van der Breggen, Niedermaier, Longo Borghini, Holmgren, Fisher-Black and De Vries led the race on the descent.
Dickson and Cavallar are apparently with the Reusser group over one minute back.
Apologies for the confused information.
Vollering was first over the Montoso climb so now has a clear lead of 13 points over Van der Breggen in the mountains classification.
There are a maximum of 22 points left out on the road, so it' likely Vollering will win the blue jersey. But can she wrest the pink jersey from Van der Breggen too?
Longo Borghini attacks the favourites' group.
The valley in between this descent and the next climb is only around 5km, so the chasers will need to work hard to get back on before the category 3 Colletta di Paesana climb. Just 3.4km at 5.8%, it shouldn't prove too much trouble for the leaders, despite a steeper section in the middle.
80km to go
Longo Borghini is off the front with Fisher-Black and Niedermaier, leading but a handful of seconds.
Niedermaier started the day in third place overall, with a deficit of 1.20. Van der Breggen can't let her go, but then neither can Vollering.
70km to go
Alarm bells need to be ringing for Van der Breggen and Vollering now, Niedermaier has a lead of 2.12 and the race win is riding away from them.
Vollering and Van der Breggen seemed to be staring each other into the abyss.
Niedermaier, Longo Borghini and Fisher-Black lead by 1.03 from De Vries.
Vollering has Dickson for support and, with Van der Breggen they're 1.43 back.
At the front Fisher-Black is sitting on as she has Holmgren behind, but Longo Borghini and Niedermaier are big engines and their lead is at 1.45.
Niedermaier could be stealing the GC from under the noses of the more established riders.
60km to go
Van der Breggen is not taking turns leaving the work to Vollering and Dickson, as a result the gap remains at 1.43.
Her team mate, Cavallar is in a group with Reusser and others around 20 seconds further back.
Van der Breggen really is holding her nerve, though Vollering has forced her to chase Dickson.
Femke de Vries is in the gap between the Van der Breggen group and Niedermaier's trio ahead.
The Van der Breggen group catches De Vries, will she work with them? The Cavallar group remain 30 seconds behind.
Niedermaier's lead reamins at 1.43.
They are over the Colletta di Paesana, but there is another hard climb to come.
De Vries is sitting on the Van der Breggen group.
While Van der Breggen can lose pink she's won four of them and Vollering wants it too. Whose responsibility is it to chase? Certainly Vollering and Dickson, but also Van der Breggen's too.
50km to go
The Niedermaier group leads by 1.34 from Van der Breggen, with the Cavallar group at 2.10.
It seems FDJ want to keep Van der Breggen isolated, which is an interesting tactic.
Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini is a great ally for Niedermaier in that front group, but an agreement for the Italian to take the stage if she helps Niedermaier to overall success is unlikely. The Canyon-Sram rider knows she'll need all the bonus time she can get.
Vollering allows Dickson to ride away and Van der Breggen lets her go. The problem for Vollering is that Dickson isn't a threat on GC, so if the Scottish rider gets away that doesn't get her into the race lead.
The last climb of the day, and the entire race is coming now, the Colletta di Brondello. This is a second category climb and ascends for 5km at 7.2%, with the steepest slopes near the top. Is this where the race can be won? It's 38km to go from the top.
A move from De Vries has brought Dickson back and the deficit increases. Crikey, this is some game of poker.
As far as we're aware, the Cavallar group remains 2.10 behind the leader, and with the climb approaching could the Austrian help at all even if she catches Van der Breggen's group?
On the bottom of the climb the Van der Breggen group has slipped to its greatest deficit, they trail the Niedermaier group by 1.54.
Dickson takes a few seconds out of the Niedermaier group on the early slopes of the climb.
Red, white and green fireworks shoot into the air as a cagey game of tactics plays out on the road.
The deficit is 1.33, four kilometres fomr the top of the climb.
This is enthralling.
Dickson takes more time out of the lead, it's 1,24 now, Van der Breggen is almost back in the virtual pink.
Dickson brings the gap down further, the Van der Breggen group trail by 1.20. Van der Breggen is back in the lead.
But the Scitswoman is done, she drops from the Van der Breggen group and the SD Worx rider leads the chasing trio.
40km to go
The climb tops out in 1600m and the Niedermaier group has extended their lead to 1.29
Van der Breggen has led on the climb, but has she even got the strength to chase, or is she still playing poker?
If Van der Breggen's tactic is to bring the gap down just enough to take the GC she'll need to cross the finish line with 1.04 of Niedermaier, as there are 16 bonus seconds yet to be awarded.
Vollering attacks twice near the top of the climb and finally gaps Van der Breggen.
Vollering is now within 1.15 of NIdermaier, while Van der Breggen is a few seconds back. Poker, a boxing match? Or just brilliant cycling?
Niedermaier is leading the front trio over the climb, the Germa started the day 31 seconds behind Vollering.
Over the climb.
Niedermaier leads Vollering by 55 seconds, and Van der Breggen by 1.18.
Vollering is over the top now, she leads Van der Breggen by 22 seconds.
There are some technicaal bits at the top of the descent, but then it opens up a little.
It's not a steep descent, you have to use the power to keep it going.
Vollering is 51 seconds behind Niedermaier and 30 seconds ahead of Van der Breggen.
Vollering is really going for it now, we could see Van der Breggen finish thrid overall here.
30km to go
The momentum is with Vollering now, she' just 21 seconds behind Niedermaier.
Meanwhile Van der Breggen is still playing poker at 1.14.
Vollering is almost the virtual leader on the road.
Vollering is now the virtual GC leader. What a race. Van der Breggen is 1.16 behind.
The intermediate sprint could prove pivotal, with six, four and two bonus seconds available. It comes at Colletta di Rossana, 24km from the line. It's uphill too, at the top of a 5% gradient.
Vollering reaches the front, goes to first position in the group, the Niedermaier briefly comes through and pulls.
DeVries catches Van der Breggen and they start working, though they're 1.29 behind.
Everyone in the front group is working, I really can't see Van der Breggen salvaging this.
Vollering takes six bonus seconds and Niedermaier two.
Van der Breggen is 1.24 behind the leading group and her pink jersey is currently riding away from her. To guarantee overall victory she'll ned to finish within 33 seconds of Vollering, soehitng which currently seems impossible.
As it stands Vollering will win the GC, Niedermaier will be second and Van der Breggen third, as the SD Worx rider's deficit slips to 1.29.
15km to go
Vollering is really driving this on now, taking long turns to increase her advantage, ensure victory and make a point to SD Worx and Van der Breggen.
Van der Breggen is now 1.48 behind.
Van der Breggen needs to keep working to maintain her place on the podium, Elisa Longo Borghini stated the day 3.44 behind her, so she should be secure, but Vollering is riding incredibly hard on the front.
Van der Breggen is now more than two minutes behind the leader.
10km to go
Of course, with such a huge gap between the Vollering group and Van der Breggen the bonus seconds are all but irrelevant, so maybe there will be an agreement for someone else to win the stage.
Though Vollering is a voracious winner.
Van der Breggen trails by 2.12.
The final 10km is downhill at a gentle gradient until the closing 200m, when it flattens out.
Fisher-Black is beginning to play the game, probably looking for the stage win, sitting on the group while the others continue to work.
5km to go
It's a relatively straightforward finish, though there's a roundabout 800m out and a 90º left hand bend 200m from the line. The final 200m curve gently to the right.
Van der Breggen really is sliding down now, she's at 2.20.
Fisher-Black trolls through and off while the rest of the group take a proper turn, though now it's Longo Borghini on the back looking as though she's about to launch.
2km to go
Fisher-Black sits on again, she seems to be missing every other turn, while now Longo Borghini is taking shorter turns.
Now both Longo Borghini and Fisher-Black are missing turns. Who's your money on? Longo Borghini.
Vollering does a huge turn inside the final kilometre, Fisher-Black moves up but Fisher-Black goes long, but Longo Borghini comes over the top in the final metres.
Retribution for Long Borghini after a string blighted by illness, it's an emotion win for the Italian champion.
Vollering brilliant, if at first you don't succeed the try, try again.
She kept attacking and in the end it worked.
De Vries wins the sprint for fifth place, closing the line 2.24 behind the stage winner. Van der Breggen is on her wheel, securing third place on GC, with Niedermaier one place ahead of her overall.
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Elisa Longo Borghini started the race as defending champion, but on the back of months suffering with a debilitating and long bout of a flu type illness.
She is, however, a master of the sport and managed her body brilliantly through the week. Her fourth place on GC might be impressive, but her stage win was the emotional cherry on the top.
"This means much more than a win, this is a comeback," she said in her post race interview. "I don't hide that I've been vulnerable these months, but in my body and also in my mind. There were days when I thought that everything probably would never come back and I was maybe done, you know.
"I've been very sick the past three months and I worked very hard to come back, I'm not still 100% but I didn't want to leave this Giro without leaving a mark, and today in the bus I felt this anger coming inside me, and I was like, 'I have nothing to lose'.
"When you don't have legs you have to use you your head and use your heart, the heart can do a lot, the will can do a lot. In the end we are humans and it's fine to lose and it's fine also to stand on your knees, but to get up and put your chin up and fight with pride."
As for Vollering, today she proved what a classy athlete she is. Once again with the brilliant support of her team, and Lauren Dickson in particular, she was able to finally crack Van der Breggen's valiant resistance.
Though she had to breach her deficit on GC, she and the team consistently took responsibility for making the race and they were rewarded by her victory, continuing to fight even after the disappointment of Saturday's shortened stage.
"We made this plan yesterday evening already," Vollering said.
"Lars [Boom] our DS and Lieslot [Decroix] they came to our table and we are having dinner, they started to joke a little bit, 'prepare yourself because tomorrow is going to be a very long and very big day for all us,' and the girls were like, 'yeah, let's go.'
"And from the start on they were on fire, they really tried to be in the breakaway, that didn't happen and then my teammates they directly put a pace on this long first climb and Lauren [Dickson] she was amazing today, she kept going.
"Today was all about daring to lose, I had to dare to lose it all so I was able to win. I let Antonia [Niedermaier] go away and I was like to Anna 'I'm fine with third because second or third doesn't matter to me, so it's now up to you to work'.
"I had to drop her somewhere and I really went all in on that last climb but that was the time trial of my life I had to do there, but it was still so long to the finish but I did it, we did it and I can still believe it."
That was an exciting and entertaining edition of the Giro, with drama and tension on most days, and a final stage which turned the race on its head at the last.
We've enjoyed bringing it to you and we'll be back with more live coverage throughout the rest of the season
See you then.
Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.
