Trying to watch the 2018 Giro Rosa in Canada
Coverage of the longest stage race in Women's cycling is limited, but there are a few options
Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile may already be at the half way point, so this list of live coverage is a little late, but the latter portion of the Italian stage race is loaded with big stages sure to shake up the race for the Maglia Rosa.
Plus, with the minimal coverage available, you still have plenty of time to watch replays of the first five stages before racing kicks into high gear Thursday, 12 July with a 15 km uphill time trial to Campo Moro. While short in distance, the TT is sure to test riders to the fullest as the climb kicks will into the double digits
The 2018 Giro Rosa finishes with a flourish. Two big back-to-back days of racing will prove pivotal in deciding who wears the final Maglia Rosa. The action starts on the penultimate stage, a summit finish on the imposing Monte Zoncolan on Saturday, 14 July.
Sunday’s final day of racing will test legs weary from the previous days efforts, when a 120 km stage ends with an ascent of the harsh 6.1 km San Leonardo climb, cresting with just 10 km remaining to the finish of the stage, and of the 2018 Giro Rosa.
Canada’s Leah Kirchman handed the Maglia Rosa off to her teammate Ruth Winder on Tuesday’s stage, but remains second in G.C. going into Wednesday.
Watching Giro Rosa in Canada
Despite being one of the biggest stage races in Women’s cycling, there are limited options for watching Giro Rosa from at home in Canada.
Italian sports channel PMG Sports has longer replays as well as shorter five minute highlights on its YouTube channel. It’s not live, and it’s not in English but it’s the best option we’ve come across so far if you want more than a quick highlight reel.
If you want English-language commentary, the UCI’s YouTube channel has five minute recaps for each stage. Much of that time is spent on reviewing the previous stage and post-race podiums and interviews, but there is some racing in there too. The UCI Women’s WorldTour Twitter account is also worth following for live updates during each stage.
FloBikes is also covering the Giro Rosa with free highlights and longer stage replays. Non-subscribers can watch the highlights, which are just re-posts of PMG Sports highlights and still in Italian.
Eurosport 1 is also running longer recaps of each stage, the day after it is raced. Not that you can watch Eurosport 1 in Canada. But it is worth mentioning for anyone not satisfied with the available options and willing to pursue other-than-legal avenues to watch your road racing. Given the lack of easy above board options, we can’t say we blame you.
