Mavi Garcia (Ribe-Allura-Jeico) has become one of the most consistent overall contenders in the Giro d'Italia women's race and plans to fight for the final podium in the eight-day race that starts Sunday in Brescia.

The former Spanish champion said she is ready to take on one of the most difficult events in the Italian Grand Tour, especially after her overall victory at the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucía.

"I think I'm very well prepared for my seventh Giro. The Giro is one of my favorite races and I have finished in the top 10 the last four times and I am very happy," Garcia said. [After his victory at the Vuelta a Andalucía at the end of May, he trained at altitude to compete in the national championships.

." I know it's getting more difficult with each passing year, but I'll be fighting for a podium finish in one of the toughest Giro's in recent years."

Garcia finished third overall in the 2022 event and has been a mainstay in the GC standings, finishing seventh last year, fifth in 2021, and ninth in 2020.

He excels in hilly terrain and runs tough, tactical races.

With a Liv Aroura-Jeico team that specializes in climbing, Garcia should be able to target the Mt. Nakayama race on stages 3, 4, 5, and 6 and hold his position in the two high-altitude stages 7 and 8 while going after the Maglia Rosa.

Garcia will be joined by Ella Willey, Urschka Zigato, Amber Pate, Silke Smulders, and Ingvild Gorsken, who will support Garcia in the mountains, while Ruby Roseman-Gannon will concentrate on the sprint stages.

Roseman-Gannon recently won her first World Tour stage at the Tour of Britain women's race.

"This Giro has a good, competitive team on a very hard course. The further south you go, the harder it gets. Mavi and Ella are good climbers and will be aiming for the GC, while Ella is also aiming for the youth jersey.

"We have two fast finishers in Ruby and Ingvild, and there are two stages that are perfect for them. In support are Urška, the Slovenian champion, Amber, who has improved a lot this season, and last but not least, Silke.

Cycling News will bring you race reports, results, photo galleries, news, and race analysis from the 2024 Giro d'Italia women's race.