Valentina Cavallar Provides Key Breakaway Support in Race Final

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Anna Van der Breggen cemented her dominance in the 2026 Giro Rosa with a commanding Stage 16 victory on the grueling Dolomites mountain climb, extending her overall lead by 2 minutes and 12 seconds ahead of the general classification chase. The Dutch rider, now three clear of second-placed Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, delivered a masterclass in high-altitude resilience, while her SD Worx teammate Valentina Cavallar played a pivotal role in securing the stage win.

The 16th stage of the Giro Rosa, a 105-kilometer ascent from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Passo Pordoi, tested riders with gradients exceeding 15 percent and elevations surpassing 2,200 meters. Van der Breggen, the 2021 and 2023 Giro Rosa champion, navigated the treacherous terrain with clinical precision, surging clear of the peloton on the final climb to claim her fourth stage win of the race. Her margin of victory—47 seconds over Marta Cavalli—highlighted her ability to dictate the race even in extreme conditions.

Cavallar’s contribution was decisive. After setting the pace in the breakaway, the Italian rider handed the stage win to Van der Breggen on the final descent, a tactical move that underscored SD Worx’s strategic depth. “It was a good day, but also a hard day,” Van der Breggen reflected post-stage. “The Dolomites don’t forgive mistakes, and today I had to be perfect. Valentina’s work in the breakaway made all the difference—she knew exactly when to attack and when to let me take over.”

The stage result solidified Van der Breggen’s overall lead in the mountains jersey, now 13 points clear of Moolman-Pasio, who finished second in the stage. The South African rider, riding for Team DSM, maintained her second-place overall but admitted frustration at the gap widening. “Anna is in another world today,” Moolman-Pasio said. “The Dolomites suit her, and we’ll have to wait and see if she can keep this up.”

Standings Implications: Van der Breggen’s Unassailable Lead

With three stages remaining, Van der Breggen’s overall lead now stands at 2 minutes and 12 seconds over Moolman-Pasio, a margin that appears insurmountable in the remaining flat and hilly stages. The Dutch rider’s dominance in the mountains classification (13 points clear) and her consistent podium finishes have made her the first rider since Annemiek van Vleuten in 2019 to lead the Giro Rosa by more than two minutes at this stage of the race.

Third Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), remains the only rider within striking distance, currently 3 minutes and 45 seconds behind. However, her chances of challenging Van der Breggen’s overall title appear slim unless she delivers a near-perfect final week. The Italian rider, who won Stage 15, will look to capitalize on any time bonuses in the remaining stages but faces an uphill battle against Van der Breggen’s form.

The race’s final three stages—two hilly stages followed by a time trial—offer little opportunity for dramatic changes in the overall standings. Van der Breggen’s team, SD Worx, will focus on protecting her lead while targeting stage wins for Cavallar and Lorena Wiebes. Wiebes, who won Stage 14, remains the race’s most consistent sprinter and could add to her tally in the final flat stage on June 10.

Tactical Masterclass: How Van der Breggen Controlled the Stage

Van der Breggen’s victory was built on three key phases: the initial breakaway selection, the mid-stage selection, and the final attack on Passo Pordoi. The SD Worx rider initially allowed the breakaway to form, letting Cavallar and Marta Cavalli (FDJ-SUEZ) set the pace before launching her own attack on the 12th kilometer. This move isolated the two riders, forcing them into a defensive ride.

On the final ascent, Van der Breggen dropped Cavalli with 8 kilometers remaining, then accelerated away to build a 47-second lead by the line. Her ability to read the terrain and exploit the peloton’s fatigue—particularly in the thin Dolomites air—was a defining feature of her performance. “She’s not just strong, she’s smart,” said a race official. “She knows exactly when to attack and when to conserve energy.”

The stage also saw a dramatic moment when Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, riding for Team DSM, crashed on the descent from Passo Pordoi. She suffered a broken collarbone but was able to continue the stage, finishing 10th. Moolman-Pasio’s injury adds uncertainty to her overall title defense, though she remains determined to race the final stages. “I’m not giving up,” she said. “I’ll fight to the end, even if it’s just for pride.”

Looking Ahead: The Final Stages and Van der Breggen’s Title Defense

The Giro Rosa concludes with three stages:

• June 8 (Stage 17): A hilly 110-kilometer stage from Passo Pordoi to Val di Fiemme, offering opportunities for time bonuses.
• June 9 (Stage 18): A 100-kilometer flat stage from Trento to Verona, likely a sprint finish.
• June 10 (Stage 19): A 25-kilometer individual time trial in Verona, where Van der Breggen’s time-trialing prowess could further extend her lead.

Van der Breggen’s team will prioritize protecting her overall lead in the time trial, where she is expected to be among the fastest. However, the hilly Stage 17 could see a late challenge if Longo Borghini or another rider mounts a daring attack. With Van der Breggen’s form at its peak, the question is no longer whether she will win the Giro Rosa, but by how much.

For Moolman-Pasio, the race remains far from over. While her injury complicates her title hopes, she has form in hilly stages and could yet mount a final-week surge. “We’ll take it day by day,” said her team manager. “Anna is strong, but so are we.”

The 2026 Giro Rosa continues tomorrow with Stage 17, where the focus will shift to time bonuses and the final push for stage wins. Van der Breggen’s dominance, however, appears unshakable—unless the Dolomites themselves decide to rewrite the script.