The woman the Giro
could not get rid of

A Giro without the biggest names

The 1924 Giro d’Italia began with a dispute. Bicycle manufacturers and the organising newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport had fallen out, and the professional teams stayed away. The race instead opened to the so-called isolati — riders who had to manage much of the journey without a large team around them.

Among the 90 starters was Alfonsina Strada, number 72. She was 33, experienced in racing against men and had previously ridden the Giro di Lombardia. No woman had started the Giro before. None has done so since in the men’s event.

The name was no disguise

The story is often told as though the organisers only discovered her sex after the start list had been printed as “Alfonsin Strada”. It makes for a neat surprise, but is not the whole explanation. The organisers knew her, and her presence brought attention to a race without its stars.

The road was no easier for that. She rode through rain, cold and roads capable of breaking both bicycle and rider. On the stage from L’Aquila to Perugia, she fell several times and damaged the handlebar.

The later, famous repair with a piece of broom handle also appears in the Giro’s own history. The more important improvisation was that she continued after the results had given up on her.

Outside the time limit

The stage to Perugia was 296 kilometres. Alfonsina arrived late, bruised and outside the time limit. She could no longer count as an official competitor.

Race director Emilio Colombo allowed her to continue outside the competition and, according to the Giro’s account, paid for her accommodation. The decision was both humane and practical: spectators came to see her, and the newspaper had found a story larger than the placings.