STAGE 6
At the top of San Domenico Mara Abbott wins her second stage in Giro Rosa
Mara Abbott has claimed her second stage win. After winning the maglia rosa at Monte Beigua yesterday, the American cemented her grip on the 2013 Giro Rosa title. During the stage from Terme di Premia to San Domenico (121 km), the USA national team managed to controll the race when in the first chilometers the olympic and world champion Marianne Vos tried to attack, as well as when later in the race nine riders tried to open up a gap.
The battle for the podium raged at full blast 10 kilometers from the finish line, where the Giro fans could cheer about the triumph of the USA team leader Mara Abbott, who created a gap of 24 seconds from the German Claudia Hauser (Tibco To The Top) and 34 seconds from Francesca Cauz (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo), best young rider of this Giro Rosa edition.
The 21-year-old Italian athlete from Treviso - who, barring surprises, will win the white jersey on Sunday - rides in the team where another Italian talent grew up, Elisa Longo Borghini. Today's stage in the province of Verbano Cusio Ossola - where has been dedicated to her. Her teammates of Hitec Products Uck greeted her passing by Ornavasso, home place of Longo Borghini, who couldn't take part into the race due to an accident during the Italian championship.
Fourth position for Fabiana Luperini from Faren Kuota (ousted from the race due to violation of UCI art. 1.3.0196 concerning minimum bicycle weight) and fifth position for Tatiana Guderzo from Mcipollini Ale Galassia, who is going to wear the blue jersey (best Italian in the General Classification) given Luperini's disqualification.
«What beautiful mountains you have in Italy! Thanks to my teammates I could tackle the race easily and ride at my best. Today was definitely an important stage, but Cremona is still far. We still have two more stages, and everything can change», says the smiling Abbott, Maglia Rosa in 2010, cheered by the fans in Piedmont.
«Mara at the moment is the best on climbs. I'm really happy for my second position. Finally I am back with the best ones», comments Hausler, 2009 Giro Rosa's winner.
Tomorrow's stage will be totally flat, suiting the Giro's sprinters, featuring a circuit to be repeated 7 times, 120 km in Corbetta, in the province of Milan.
Stage results:
1st Abbott Mara (USA National Team) 121,00 km in 3h16'01" speed average 37,038 km/h
2nd Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) at 24"
3rd Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) at 34"
4th Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) at 41"
5th Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) at 1'03"
6th Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) at 1'32"
7th Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) at 1'39"
8th Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) at 1'46"
9th Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) at 1'52"
10th Vysotska Yegvenia (Sc Michela Fanini Rox) at 1'53"
General Classification:
1. Abbott Mara (USA National Team) in 17h14'34"
2. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) at 2'40"
3. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) at 2'55"
4. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) at 3'10"
5. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) at 4'50"
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Abbott Mara (USA National Team)
CYCLAMEN Selle Italia, Points Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Abbott Mara (USA National Team)
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)
BLUE Dama, Italian Classification: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia)
STAGE 5
On Monte Beigua Mara Abbott stole the reign of Marianne Vos
Happy 4th July America! On American Independence Day Mara Abbott dominated the queen stage of the 24th Giro Rosa by taking over the pink jersey. The 27 year old from Boulder and 2010 Giro d'Italia Internazionale Femminile winner, had no rivals in the Varazze-Monte Beigua stage. She arrived at the finish line 1'44" ahead of the surprising young Francesca Cauz (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) and 1'49" ahead of the veteran Fabiana Luperini (Faren Kuota) and 1'51" ahead of Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini Ale Galassia), who confirmed herself best Italian in the general classification.
«I'm really happy! I didn't use special tactics today, I just attacked at the start of the climb. At the beginning Evelyn Stevens was with me, then I forced and remained all alone. Tomorrow? I won't tell you how I'm going to race, it's a surprise!» said the stars and stripes captain while summarizing the stage, which finished 1287 above sea level, after a 14 km climb of 8,4% average.
The shortest and toughest stage of this edition has changed the general classification, with Marianne Vos losing 5'15" from today's winner. «I knew it would be a difficult day because I'm not at the top of my condition, for that reason in the last days I tried to gain time bonuses at every intermediate sprint. I expected to perform better, but as usual I did the best I can. I'm disappointed to lose the maglia rosa because I really love this race, but it's not over until it's over» said the dutch champion, with her usual composure.
Francesca Cauz, the best young rider, was very happy: «I knew I was in shape, I'm happy to show everybody. I want to thank my teammates, my director and all the sponsors. I hope to arrive in Cremona with the white jersey, for them also».
Tatiana Guderzo, now 2nd in the general classification, is satisfied: «I dream of wearing the pink. The last day time trial suits me, but today was a really big effort and tomorrow won't be an easy ride either. I'm living the Giro day by day, but still aiming towards the big goal».
Italian TV channel Raisport 2 (www.raisport.rai.it) will broadcast a 50 minute summary of today's stage from 8.00 pm. Tomorrow stage number 6: Terme di Premia-San Domenico, in the region where Elisa Longo Borghini lives.
Stage arrival:
1. Abbott Mara (USA National Team) 73,300 km in 2h25'25" average speed 30,244 km/h
2. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) at 1'44"
3. Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) at 1'49"
4. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) at 1'51"
5. Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) at 2'38"
6. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) at 2'49"
7. Vysotska Yevgenia (Michela Fanini Rox) at 3'02"
8. Alena Amialiusik (BePink) at 3'45"
9. Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) at 3'51"
10. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) at 3'51"
General Classification:
1. Abbott Mara (USA National Team) in 13h58'43"
2. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) at 1'27"
3. Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) at 1'34"
4. Hausler Claudia (Tibco To The Top) at 2'27"
5. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) at 2'30"
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Abbott Mara (USA National Team)
CYCLAMEN Selle Italia, Points Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Cromwell Tiffany (Orica Ais)
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)
STAGE 4
Marianne Vos has stamped her authority over the race once again. After winning yesterday’s stage in Cerro al Volturno, Vos crossed the line first in Castelfidardo (AN), too. Approaching the final climb of the longest stage of the 2013 Giro Rosa, the superb Dutch rider – who received a unique and precious pink accordion on the podium - had no rivals at all.
After winning the intermediate sprint in Fabriano and taking second place at the KOM – won by Tiffany Cromwell (Orica Ais) -, Marianne jumped ahead in a solo attack 300 meters from the finish line. The leader of Rabo Woman Cycling Team was followed by Evelyn Stevens (Specialized Lululemon), South African champion Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto Belisol Ladies), blue jersey Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini Ale Galassia) and the German Claudia Hausler (Team Tibco To The Top). After four stages, the olympic and world champion is increasingly sealing her leading position in the General Classification, 1'31" ahead of Guderzo, best Italian, and 1'33" ahead Hausler.
«After finishing 2nd twice and winning two stages in a row, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Tomorrow, though, it’s going to be tough. There are still many kilometers to ride and many climbs to tackle before arriving in Cremona on Sunday. Winning is never easy and you can’t take anything for granted» commented the maglia rosa, who is followed by the whole family, which is travelling by campervan.
Stevens, who is one of the few that still can give Vos concern, at the finish today was already thinking about tomorrow's stage: «Winning against Marianne is not easy, but my team is strong and we want to do our best. I'm in shape and tomorrow's rolling course suits me».
Also Moolman was very happy with her 3rd place: «It's the first time for me on a prestigious podium like the one of Giro Rosa. The result makes me more confident and optimistic about the next stages, with plenty of climbs».
Italian TV channel Raisport 2 (www.raisport.rai.it) will broadcast a 50 minute summary of today's stage from 8.00 pm. Tomorrow's "queen stage" of the 24th edition of the Giro Rosa: Varazze – Monte Beigua (73,300 km).
Stage arrival:
1. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) 133,00 km in 3h14'28" average speed 41,035 km/h
2. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) at 3"
3. Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) at 3"
4. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) at 3"
5. Hausler Claudia (Team Tibco To The Top) at 7"
6. Van der Breggen Anna (Netherlands National Team) at 9"
7. Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) att 18"
8. Cauz Francesca (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) a 20"
9. Cromwell Tiffany (Orica Ais) at 20"
10. Abbot Mara (USA National Team) at 22"
General Classification:
1. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) in 11h31'23"
2. Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia) at 1'31"
3. Hausler Claudia (Team Tibco To The Top) at 1'33"
4. Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) at 1'39"
5. Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) at 1'41"
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
CYCLAMEN Selle Italia, Points Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Van der Breggen Anna (Netherlands National Team)
BLUE Dama, Italian Classification: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Ale Galassia)
Stage 3
If anyone still had a doubt, Marianne Vos in the 3rd stage showed everybody for the millionth time she's the strongest rider in the world. The Olympic and World Champion dominated Cerro al Volturno - Cerro al Volturno (104,900 km) winning solo after showing all of her quality on the flat, in descents and on the climbs. In one word: everywhere.
After 3rd categry Castel San Vincenzo KOM won by Valentina Scandolara (MCipollini Ale Galassia), at just 9 km from the start, six riders escaped from the group: Vos and Lucinda Brand (Rabo Woman Cycling Team), white jersey Barbara Guarischi (Vaiano Fondriest), green jersey Valentina Scandolara, Tiffany Cromwell (Orica Ais) and Lauren Hall (USA National Team). The riders in the breakaway, gained a 1'10" maximum advantage, one by one they lost contact and at km 65 at the front were only Vos, who by the way won the intermediate sprint in Colli al Volturno, and Cromwell. In the downhill, 10 km to the finish, the Australian fell and lost the wheel of Vos, who flew to the finish all alone. Joining the Dutch champion on the podium were Claudia Hausler (Team Tibco To The Top) and Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini Giordana), best Italian in the general classification, who both finished 45" after Vos. Fourth finisher was veteran, Fabiana Luperini (Faren Kuota), whilst fifth was the promising Rossella Ratto (Hitec Products Uck), now the best young rider.
«I feel ok, but I would have preferred not to crash after so many kilometres in the escape. I hope to perform better on other stages in this Giro Rosa» said Tiffany Cromwell, the winner of stage 4 last year, smiling as usual.
«After two second places in a row, I needed a stage victory! I didn't plan to make a long breakaway and I thought the stage was not so tough! The final was very steep and with the cobbles it was even worse, I'm really happy to win in rosa. In the next days I hope to be with the best and increase my advantage in the general classification» explained the maglia rosa, who after the finish, showed to the public her skills at a trackstand.
Tomorrow 4th stage from San Vito to Castelfidardo (137 km), the longest 24th Giro Rosa edition.
Stage results
1st Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) 104,900 km in 2h34'03" average speed 36,136 km/h
2nd Hausler Claudia (Team Tibco To The Top) at 45’’
3rd Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Giordana) at 45’’
4th Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) at 48’’
5th Ratto Rossella (Hitec Products Uck) at 50’’
6th Moolman Ashleigh (Lotto Belisol Ladies) at 55’’
7th Stevens Evelyn (Specialized Lululemon) at 55’’
8th Van der Breggen Anna (Netherlands National Team) at 58’’
9th Abbot Mara (Usa National Team) at 58’’
10th Gillow Shara (Orica Ais) at 1’02’’
General Classification
1st Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) in 5h27'37"
2nd Hausler Claudia (Team Tibco To The Top) a 1’13’’
3rd Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Giordana) a 1’15’’
4th Luperini Fabiana (Faren Kuota) a 1’22’’
5th Ratto Rossella (Hitec Products Uck) A 1’24’’
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
CYCLAMEN Selle Italia, Points Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Scandolara Valentina (MCipollini Giordana)
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Ratto Rossella (Hitec Products Uck)
BLUE Dama, Italian Classification: Guderzo Tatiana (MCipollini Giordana)
STAGE 2
Giorgia Bronzini has painted the Giro Rosa with "azzurro". Italy finally got a stage victory in International Tour of Italy for Women thanks to the two time World Champion, gold medalist in Geelong 2010 and Copenhagen 2011. In Pontecagnano Faiano (SA) the Wiggle Honda sprinter won the 2nd stage of the 24th edition of the Giro Rosa beating Marianne Vos (Rabo Woman Cycling Team), leader of the general classification, and the young rider Barbara Guarischi (Vaiano Fondriest).
«I'm really happy because my last victory in the Giro Rosa was a lifetime ago... In 2008 in Caerano San Marco (TV)-Pontecchio Polesine (RO) stage. Yesterday I was really unlucky because I punctured twice in the final, I finished last and I wanted to reverse the classification as soon as possible. I made it today thanks to my super team mates» the stage winner said at the finish line.
Marianne Vos, as yesterday 2nd in the photofinish, said: «I was really in danger of falling beacuse of a small dent in the road I was unclipped from my right pedal. I was really near to the stage victory, but I'm happy to be safe and still in pink. I wouldn't be if it was not for my skills on the bike, probably I was just lucky».
Tomorrow is a hard stage, number 3, in Cerro al Volturno (IS). 102 km to be ridden on the streets where Noemi Cantele won in 2009. That was the last Italian victory in Giro Rosa, untill yesterday.
Stage results:
1. Bronzini Giorgia (Wiggle Honda) 99,600 km in 2h34'03" average speed 38,793 km/h
2. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) s.t.
3. Guarischi Barbara (Vaiano Fondriest) s.t.
4. Hall Lauren (Nazionale Usa) s.t.
5. Collins Emily (Wiggle Honda) s.t.
6. Ferrand Prevot Pauline (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) s.t.
7. Kozonchuk Oxana (Rusvelo) s.t.
8. Johnsen Cecilies Gotas (Hitec Products) s.t.
9. Amialiusik Alena (BePink) s.t.
10. Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Giordana) s.t.
General Classification:
1. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) in 5h27'37"
2. Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Giordana) at 17"
3. Guarischi Barbara (Vaiano Fondriest) at 17''
4. Leth Julie (Hitec Products) at 17"
5. Visser Adrie (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team) at 19''
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
CYCLAMEN Selle Italia, Points Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Scandolara Valentina (MCipollini Giordana)
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Guarischi Barbara (Vaiano Fondriest)
BLUE Dama, Italian Classification: Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Giordana)