Emma Pooley
Pooley (Lotto Belisol) takes her second victory in the 2014 Giro Rosa in stage 8 from Verbania to San Domenico di Varzo. The Lotto Belisol riders was the strongest on the final climb and managed to extend her lead in the mountain classification.
Mara Abbott (Unitedhealthcare) finished just 5 seconds back to take second place, ahead of Anna van der Breggen (Rabo Liv). Off the podium today, the best young of the Giro Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv) and today’s surprise Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans). The Pink Jersey, Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv), came 6th but still leads the general classification.

Within 5 km to ride, a group of 7 riders was at the head of the race: Marianne Vos, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Anna van der Breggen, the best Italian Elisa Longo Borghini (Orica AIS), Emma Pooley, Megan Guarnier and Mara Abbott. In the final uphill km, Mara Abbott and Emma Pooley left the others behind. Then Emma Pooley attacked and crossed the line first.

“I’m over the moon. At the beginning of the race I didn’t feel that good, but in the end I realized I could make it and I managed to win again. I didn’t really expect it. Tomorrow the climb is tough and I’ll give my best”, commented the Queen of the mountains, Emma Pooley.

“Very hard stage today in the Giro Rosa. I could follow the first riders with 3 km to go, then I started to ride my own pace. Very tough day for me, but I’m still in pink. I want to thank my teammates for their great support”, conceded Marianne Vos.

On the finish line, Mara Abbott was satisfied and said: “I’m very happy for my second place. I am aiming to win this Giro, so today’s second place is a first step towards it”.

A whole Rabo Liv podium: in the general classification Marianne Vos is in first place, Pauline Ferrand Prevot in second and Anna in third.

The general classification is up for grabs until the final stage. Starting in Trezzo sull’Adda stage 9 of the Giro Rosa features another summit finish. That final climb is the Ghisallo, an 8km ascent. The first 5 km of the climb hovers around 10% and the final 2km to the end of the stage is also steep. It’s at the top, near the church of Madonna del Ghisallo that the winner of the 2014 Giro Rosa will be crowned.

Last stage:
Stage 9: Trezzo sull’Adda (MI) – Madonna del Ghisallo (CO) km 80,100 (start at 12.15pm)

Result:
1. Emma Pooley (Lotto Belisol) km 90,300 in 2:32’49“ at the average of 34,454 km/h
2. Mara Abbott (Unitedhealthcare) at 5’’
3. Anna Van Der Breggen (Rabo Liv) at 29’’
4. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv) at 53’’
5. Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) at 1’27’’
6. Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv) at 1’28’’
7. Claudia Hausler (Giant Shimano) at 1’53’’
8. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Rabo Liv) s.t.
9. Tatiana Riabchenko (Michela Fanini) at 1’58’’
10. Emma Johansson (Orica AIS) at 2’01’’

General Calssification:
1. Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv)
2. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv) at 16’’
3. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo Liv) at 1’17“
4. Mara Abbott (Unitedhealthcare) at 1’39’’
5. Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products) at 1’46’’

Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
CYCLAMEN SMP Selle, Points Classification: Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
GREEN BIM, Best Climber Classification: Emma Pooley (Lotto Belisol)
WHITE Saugella, Best Young Classification: Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
BLUE Dama, Best Italian Classification: Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products)