The 34-years-old Dutch cyclist of Orica – Scott Team did an impressive performance in the ITT of Sant’Elpidio a Mare (FM), in the Marche region. She literally smashed the concurrence on the 12.7 km of the race, including the short but hard climb of Santa Lucia and Strada Cocciari, 400 meters with peaks of slope at about 30%.

After losing about two minutes in yesterday stage due to the wind, Annemiek Van Vleuten showed her big qualities in the chrono race, as she already won the prologues in Caserta 2014 and Ljubljana 2015. The physical effort has been huge for all the athletes in this discipline, as the average speed was of about 30 km/h, and the big gap earned against her main rivals: 41“ from Anna Van der Breggen (second, but still leading the General Classification) and 1’15“ from Elisa Longo Borghini (Third).

The Italian Road and Time Trial National Champion has a delay of one minute from Van der Breggen and keeps 36“ gap from Van Vleuten, who jumps back on the virtual podium.

The stage 6 will take place on a circuit in Roseto degli Abruzzi and has a length of 116.160 kms.

RESULTS STAGE 5 (TOP 5 – SANT’ELPIDIO A MARE, 12.7 KMS – ITT):

1. Annemiek Van Vleuten 25’29“
2. Anna Van der Breggen +41“
3. Elisa Longo Borghini +1’15“
4. Amanda Spratt +1’48“
5. Megan Guarnier +1’53“

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION (TOP 5) AFTER STAGE 5:

1. Anna Van der Breggen 9h02’35“
2. Elisa Longo Borghini +1’00“
3. Annemiek Van Vleuten +1’36“
4. Megan Guarnier +3’08“
5. Amanda Spratt +3’29“

THE JERSEYS OF THE 28TH GIRO ROSA AFTER STAGE 5:

PINK Jersey COLNAGO: Anna Van der Breggen (Boels Dolmans)
CYCLAMINE Jersey SELLE SMP: Annemiek Van Vleuten (Orica-Scott)
GREEN Jersey PURPLE by GLOBAL STOCK: Annemiek Van Vleuten (Orica-Scott)
WHITE Jersey COLNAGO: Floortje Mackaij (Team Sunweb)
BLUE Jersey GSG: Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle High5)

Photo (c) Flaviano Ossola