Kasia Niewiadoma is always a top contender for the maglia rosa at the Giro Rosa, which opens on September 11 as part of the Women's World Tour calendar.

The Polish all-rounder spent five days in the leader's jersey after Canyon-SRAM won the opening team time trial last year.

"I would love to see a pink jersey with the Canyon-SRAM logo on it," said Niewiadoma. Personally, I'm going for the best Giro Rosa of my career. I want to do my best and finish the race with no regrets and no energy left in my body."

Niewiadoma has finished inside the top 10 in each of the last five Giro Rosa: fifth in 2019, seventh in 2018, sixth in 2017, seventh in 2016, fifth in 2015, and 11th in 2014, his first full season as a professional with the Labo Liv team. [The tour will visit the provinces of Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Campania, and Puglia. The first two will take place in the 170.3 km race from Assisi on stage 3 to Tivoli on stage 4, and the last two on stage 8, San Marco La Cutra, and the finale, Motta Montecorvino on stage 9.

The race begins with a team time trial, and while Niewiadoma could be in a good position to take the lead again, team director Rolf Aldag predicted that the overall punchy course would invite a more tactical GC battle.

"The final three stages of the Tour will be increasingly difficult. For climbers, it won't all end on stage 6, which will be a good battle for the GC contenders." No, it could still unfold on the final day. [It will be] who has the strongest team, who is the most recovered on that day, and who still has the best legs."

Niwiadoma also noted that the 124-km route between Paganico and Archidosso on stage 2 is where the overall battle could have a decisive impact. Tournament organizers introduced a new Strade Bianche-style route that included two sections on the white gravel roads of Tuscany.

Niwiadma is a strong contender for the annual Strade Bianche, which this year was won by Annemiek van Fruten (Mitchelton Scott). Although he did not finish the race this year, he has been on the podium four times in the past. She predicts that this year's second stage will be won by a strong climber.

"It will definitely be a climber," she said. It's a great opportunity for a lot of climbers to show their strength. It's a great opportunity for a lot of climbers to show their strength. It's a course with a lot of opportunities for escapes. It's hard to predict right now, so you have to be prepared for every scenario, and I will be."

Niewiadoma will be supported by a strong team that includes Alena Amiariusik, Hannah Burns, Elena Cecchini, Lisa Klein, and Omer Shapira.

Klein, a time trial specialist, returns to the Giro Rosa after a two-year absence. She will play a key role in the opening team time trial.

"In 2017, I was very eager to compete in my first Giro Rosa. That year the Tour was a mix of hard stages and easy stages for sprinters. I was there as a leadout and dome steek and overall it was tough but a good experience," Klein said

"I am happy to have been selected for the race and honored to be able to support the team this year. I plan to be the best domestique for climbers Cassia, Alaina and Omer." This year's Giro Rosa looks very hard with a lot of climbing. My plan is to take it one day at a time. I respect this long stage race and am ready for the challenge."

"I am especially motivated by the short and beautiful team time trial on the first stage. It will hurt, but we will rock."

For full reports, results, news, features, and galleries from the 2020 Giro Rosa, visit Cycling News' dedicated women's page.

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