Elisa Balsamo inherited the Giro d'Italia Women opening stage victory after Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for a bike weight violation. The Dutch rider had initially claimed the first maglia rosa by beating Balsamo and Lara Gillespie in Ravenna. Team SD Worx-Protime's Wiebes won the sprint finish but race organizers ejected her from the competition for equipment non-compliance.

Balsamo, riding for Lidl-Trek, received the stage win and leader's jersey after Wiebes' DQ. The Italian acknowledged the unusual circumstances: "Of course, it is not the way I want to win but this is a decision of the jury." Canyon-Sram's Chiara Consonni moved up to third place as the podium reshuffled following the disqualification.

The 139km opening stage from Cesenatico featured multiple crashes, including one after just 35km that forced British rider Cat Ferguson to abandon. The Movistar rider required hospital evaluation after her Giro debut ended prematurely. Sunday's second stage between Roncade and Caorle will again favor sprinters as Balsamo attempts to defend her unexpected lead.