Every July, the Tour de France acts as a sporting eclipse, soaking up the world's broadcasting hours and media attention. But while the men's race stole the global limelight, a parallel history was being written in Italy.
From 1988, the Giro Donne navigated the Tour's massive shadow to serve as the defining battleground of the women's calendar. For decades, it was the only true Grand Tour for the women's peloton – a race of rich heritage and gruelling climbs that is finally stepping into the sun.
