Holland fest in the first stage of 24th Giro Rosa. In Margherita di Savoia Kirsten Wild from Holland National Team took the stage win in front of the World and Olimpic Champion Marianne Vos (Rabo Woman Cycling Team), that thanks to the bonus time she took winning both of today’s intermediate sprints conquers the first pink jersey of 2013 edition. From Giovinazzo the group, mostly all together, raced 117,800 km in crowded roads with lots of people interested in the race till the big final sprint. «You can’t understand how much I’m happy! I’m back from one month out of the race because I injured my left collarbone and I’m really satisfied with this good result. I couldn’t ask more of myself» explains with a big smile on her face the stage winner. «I lost for an inch, but I’m really proud to dress again the maglia rosa. We are only at the beginning of the race, I’m getting in shape so I hope to maintain the jersey till the very end in Cremona» commented Vos, winner of the last two editions of Giro Rosa, clearly showing today that she wants to take the third victory in a row in the general classification.
At the finish of the first stage Marta Tagliaferro of MCipollini Giordana, 3rd, wears the blue jersey as the best Italian: «I chose the right wheel, but in the final chaos I lost the right moment to start my sprint. I’ll try to win a stage in the next days!». Julie Leth (Hitec Products) from Denmark is the best young rider: «I really didn’t expected to wear the white jersey. I’ve been a Professional for only one month so I expected to finish in the back, not to be on the podium of the biggest race in the world of women’s cycling». Valentina Scandolara (MCipollini Giordana) took the first green jersey, winning the only KOM of stage 1 and promised: «With my team, I’ll try to do my best in the Giro Rosa».
After the warm welcome received by Puglia, tomorrow Giro Rosa adventure will follow in Campania. The second stage, a little bit more technical than today route but still for sprinters, will take place in the provence of Salerno, in particular in Pontecagnano Faiano circuit. In programm 4 laps for 99,600 km to go.
Stage classification:
1. Wild Kirsten (Nazionale Olanda) km 117,800 in 2h53’55“ average speed 40,640 km/h
2. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) s.t.
3. Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Giordana) s.t.
4. Janeliunaite Edita (Pasta Zara Cogeas) s.t.
5. Kozonchuk Oxana (Rusvelo) s.t.
6. Van Vleuten Annemiek (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) s.t.
7. Shelly Olds (Team Tibco To the top) s.t.
8. Hall Lauren (Nazionale Usa) s.t.
9. Kitchen Lauren (Wiggle Honda) s.t.
10. Trevisi Anna (Vaiano Fondriest) s.t.
General Classification:
1. Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team) 2h53’43“
2. Wild Kirsten (Nazionale Olanda) 2″
3. Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Giordana) 8″
4. Visser Adrie (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team) 10″
5. Leth Julie (Hitec Products) 10″
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Vos Marianne (Rabo Woman Cycling Team)
CYCLAMEN Selle Italia, Points Classification: Wild Kirsten (Nazionale Olanda)
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Scandolara Valentina (MCipollini Giordana)
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Leth Julie (Hitec Products)
BLUE Dama, Italian Classification: Tagliaferro Marta (MCipollini Giordana)