Aussie super climber misses Giro d'Italia Women to recover from horror crash that ended career-best year

The Giro d'Italia Women is about to begin, while the men’s Giro d'Italia is just coming to an end. With Demi Vollering taking on Marlen Reusser, Elisa Longo Borghini and many more, it promises to be a superb race. One major name, however, will not be there. Last year’s best climber has to miss the race.

That rider was Sarah Gigante. The Australian had plenty of talent, but injuries prevented her from truly breaking through. Then, last year, the stars finally aligned: in the Giro d'Italia Women she won stage four, then was by far the strongest again on the way to Monte Nerone. She finished third overall, and a star was born.

As a dangerous outsider she went to the Tour de France Femmes, where only Pauline Ferrand-Prévot out-climbed her on the Col de la Madeleine. But Gigante’s fear of descending has been widely discussed, and it ultimately cost her: on the final stage she was dropped and slipped off the podium, finishing sixth overall.

Even so, the then 24-year-old pocket climber had made a huge impression. She looked like a rider to watch forever, but her dream year suddenly fell apart. During a training ride in August, she crashed heavily and broke her femur. Recovery from that is no quick job, and she now has to miss the Giro d'Italia Women.

Her team AG Insurance - Soudal announced the new: "She will unfortunately miss this edition as she continues her recovery from a femur fracture, which still requires time and rehabilitation before a return to competition is possible," the team said on its website.

Whether she will be fit in time for the Tour de France Femmes is still unclear. AG Insurance - Soudal will have to adjust in Italy, and will rely on three names in the mountains: Urška Žigart, Lore De Schepper and Mireia Benito will be responsible for the heavy lifting for the team. They will be supported by Belgian champion Justine Ghekiere. Gladys Verhulst-Wild will be the team’s card for the flatter finishes.