Giro Women 2026: Balsamo sprints to fourth victory, Van der Breggen still in pink

fotobureau Cor VosAfter two days of climbing, Elisa Balsamo does not let the opportunity for a fourth stage win slip away. She rewards a long lead-out from Lucinda Brand with another commanding sprint victory. Anna van der Breggen stays in the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 6 Results – 2026 Giro d'Italia Women

1. Elisa Balsamo (ita) 3:54:02
2. Maggie Coles-Lyster (can) s.t.
3. Georgia Baker (aus) s.t.
4. Célia Gery (fra) s.t.
5. Chiara Consonni (ita) s.t.
6. Gladys Verhulst-Wild (fra) s.t.
7. Lara Gillespie (irl) s.t.
8. Lilly Williams (usa) s.t.
9. Alessia Zambelli (ita) s.t.
10. Alexandr Volstad (can) s.t.

GC after stage 6

1. Anna van der Breggen (nld)
2. Demi Vollering (nld) + 1:00
3. Antonia Niedermaier (ger) + 1:24
4. Isabella Holmgren (can) + 2:01
5. Marlen Reusser (swi) + 2:03
6. Elisa Longo Borghini (ita) + 2:12
7. Niamh Fisher-Black (nzl) + 2:33
8. Femke de Vries (nld) + 2:38
9. Monica Trinca Colonel (ita) + 3:21
10. Urska Zigart (slo) + 3:26

Race report
Breakaway riders Irene Cagnazzo, Camilla Bezzone, Sharon Spimo and Gaia Segato carve out a lead of over 4 minutes.

The gap has already been cut in half when the peloton is blown apart by crosswinds with 60 kilometres remaining. The breakaway's lead then tumbles rapidly, with race leader Anna van der Breggen making the front echelon and Demi Vollering caught in the second. With the help of her teammates, she gets back on terms after around five kilometres.

By then, the four leaders have been caught, but the action continues, as Marlen Reusser is still chasing in a further echelon. Her deficit hovers around the 30-second mark for a while, but with 46 kilometres to go it’s back to a gruppo compatto.

In the final 20 kilometres, Giorgia Serena breaks clear of the peloton. She builds a 1-minute lead before being caught with 9 kilometres to go, after which it is up to the sprinters.

Or rather, up to Elisa Balsamo. The Italian powers to her fourth victory in this Giro, Finishing a bike lengths head of Maggie Coles-Lyster and Georgia Baker.

In the overall standings, nothing changes, so Anna van der Breggen keeps the pink jersey ahead of Demi Vollering and Antonia Niedermaier.

Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2026 Giro d'Italia Women.