GiroDonne 2009

GiroDonne, or more formally Giro d'Italia Internazionale Femminile, will start July 3 in Tuscany. Teams will be competing in the 10 stage race that will pass through the regions of Tuscany, Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia and Campania. Organizer Giuseppe Rivolta has prepared an exciting course for what will be the 20th edition of the race. The race will conclude on July 12th.

Past winners Fabiana Luperini and Edita Pucinskaite are among those competing; Luperini won the race in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2008. "This year will be very difficult," said Luperini. "I think the competition will be tough. Last year, I had great form, and not all years are equal. The race will be longer and the outcome more open."

Pucinskaite recalled her own experiences which include two overall wins. "To get the pink jersey: this was my goal which I pursued for many years. It was an obsession, a goal fixed in my mind. After an unexpected yellow jersey in the Tour de France and a rainbow jersey after that, all the rest of my career ambitions were colored pink! But after difficult times and years, probably to make me appreciate it that much more, I got the best gift in 2006. It was a sea of emotions, ranging from disbelief to joy, indescribable joy and relief, too. I won in 2007, too. The Giro leaves a person with the feeling of having done something unforgettable."

Past winners:

2008 Luperini Fabiana (ITA)

2007 Pucinskaite Edita (LIT)

2006 Pucinskaite Edita (LIT)

2005 Brandli Nicole (SVI)

2004 Cooke Nicole (GBR)

2003 Brandli Nicole (SVI)

2002 Boubnenkova Svetlana (RUS)

2001 Brandli Nicole (SVI)

2000 Somarriba Joane (ESP)

1999 Somarriba Joane (ESP)

1998 Luperini Fabiana (ITA)

1997 Luperini Fabiana (ITA)

1996 Luperini Fabiana (ITA)

1995 Luperini Fabiana (ITA)

1994 Fanini Michela (ITA)

1993 Lenka Llavaska (SVK)

1992 non disputed

1991 non disputed

1990 Marsal Catherine (FRA)

1989 Bonanomi Roberta (ITA)

1988 Canins Maria (ITA)

The official presentation for the race will take place on June 13th in Scarperia (Firenze). The teams scheduled to participate in the race are:

USA National Team

Bizkaia

Selle Italia Ghezzi

Bigla Cycling Team

Safi-Pasta Zara Titanedi
Gauss RDZ Ormu - Colnago

Team System Data

Cervelo Test Team
Fenixs-Edilsavino

Team Flexpoint
Top Girls Fassa Bortolo Raxy Line

Michela Fanini Record Rox

USC Chirio Forno d'Asolo
Team Columbia High Road Women

Lotto - Belisol Ladies Team

Equipe Nurnberger Versicherung

Australia Nazionale

Team Cmax Dila

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