'We had doubts about whether to do it or not' – How the Vuelta Femenina decided the time was right to take on the Angliru

The Vuelta Femenina has confirmed its inclusion of the formidable Alto de L'Angliru in its upcoming edition, marking a significant first for the women's Grand Tour. The decision, following internal deliberation, will see the peloton face the 12.5km climb with its brutal 23.5% gradients in the race's penultimate stage. This move sets up a thrilling double-header finale, promising a decisive and dramatic conclusion to the May stage race.

This development is a crucial step for women's cycling, particularly in its ongoing quest for parity with the men's peloton. Historically, iconic climbs like the Angliru have been reserved for men's races, often cited as too demanding for women – a notion increasingly challenged by the growing strength and depth of the women's peloton. Its inclusion reflects a broader trend of women's races embracing more challenging parcours, elevating their status and offering fans the same thrilling spectacles seen in men's events.

Ultimately, the Angliru's inclusion is less about a climb's difficulty and more about the organisers' evolving belief in the women's peloton's capacity to conquer it. It's about time.