The Maglia Rosa is the iconic pink jersey worn by the leader of the general classification in the Giro d’Italia and Giro d'Italia Women. First introduced in 1931, it’s one of the most recognisable symbols in pro cycling. Like the Tour de France’s yellow jersey, it signifies the rider with the lowest overall time.
The colour isn’t random – it mirrors the pink pages of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian sports newspaper that founded the race.
Over the decades, the Maglia Rosa has been worn by some of cycling’s biggest names – think Coppi, Merckx, Hinault, Luperini, van Vleuten, and, more recently, riders like Nibali, Dumoulin, and Roglic.
The Maglia Rosa in numbers
- 1931: The year the Maglia Rosa was first introduced in the men's Giro d'Italia, with Learco Guerra being the inaugural wearer.
- 1988: The first year the Giro d'Italia Women (then called the Giro d'Italia Femminile) officially awarded a pink jersey to the race leader
- 5: The record number of overall victories in the Giro d'Italia, achieved by three male cyclists: Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, and Eddy Merckx; Fabiana Luperini holds the record for the women's race, also with five wins
- 76: The total number of days Eddy Merckx wore the Maglia Rosa during his career, the highest in the men's race history
- 40: The total number of days Fabiana Luperini wore the Maglia Rosa in the women's Giro, the highest in the women's race history
- 12: The total number of days Annemiek van Vleuten wore the Maglia Rosa during her career, making her one of the most dominant modern female riders
- 278: The number of male riders who have worn the Maglia Rosa at least once since its inception
Fascist interference
Beyond the prestige, the jersey represents a unique flavour of racing. The Giro is known for its savage mountain stages, unpredictable weather and passionate tifosi (fans of the race). To wear the iconic Maglia Rosa is to carry the weight of cycling history on your shoulders.
Try telling that, however, to Italy’s fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini.
According to Herbie Sykes, author of Maglia Rosa, a book on the history of the race, Benito Mussolini – in the characteristically insecure fashion of the strongman – thought pink was for girls.
If it had to be pink, then his Fascist Party’s symbol – rods bound to an axe – would be stitched into its centre.
It duly was, though it was given the axe itself once the race re-emerged in 1946, following the end of both WW2 and Mussolini.
Material world
The Maglia Rosa began life as a heavy woollen garment with pockets on the front as well as back. Until 1951, it was plain pink without writing or logos, before team names and La Gazzetta’s logo began to appear.
In the ’70s the front pockets disappeared, as equipment got lighter and riders’ habits for carrying food and gear changed.
By 1981, Castelli was producing the jersey. Pictured at the start of this article is the 1987 jersey of winner Stephen Roche, who fought his Italian team-mate Roberto Visentini – and a highly partisan home crowd - in a titanic battle for supremacy from which the Irishman ultimately prevailed.
Santini took over jersey privileges in 1993, before it reverted to Castelli in 2018.
It’s probably no surprise to learn that Eddy Merckx, winner of five Giros d’Italia, has put on the Maglia Rosa the most (76 stages).
278 other riders have worn the jersey for at least one stage in the men's race, with Simon Yates the leading Brit with 13 stages.
Also on this list is Londoner Tao Geoghegan Hart, winner of the 2020 race, although he never got the chance to wear it during the race – the only time that’s ever happened.
The most successful wearer in the Giro d'Italia Women is Italy’s Fabiana Luperini, who won the overall title five times between 1995 and 2008, wearing the jersey for a total of 40 days. Dutch legend Marianne Vos isn't far behind with 33 days in pink.
More recently, Annemiek van Vleuten dominated, winning three editions before her retirement in 2023. She has worn the Maglia Rosa for 12 days.
The Maglia Rosa celebrated its 90th birthday in 2021, which is still being celebrated with a virtual exhibition.
