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)