Today’s Giro Rosa stage went to Aussie Canyon//SRAM rider Tiffany Crowell whilst finishing in the bunch meant Evelyn Stevens (Boels-Dolmans) retained her GC lead and will wear pink again tomorrow.

Missed the action so far? See our intro to the race, and the Prologue – Stage 3 here. 

The stage was touted as a sprinter’s delight – but that doesn’t mean to say it was flat. So the winner needed to have a strong finish kick, as well as a good set of climbing legs to get her to the vicinity of the line in Lovere near the front of the bunch.

Touted as another sprint stage but we’re not so sure if this comes 2km into the race ???????? #NotFlat #GiroRosa #UCIWWT pic.twitter.com/kJrv8Rml1k

— CANYON//SRAM Racing (@WMNcycling) July 5, 2016

There were, of course, a few attacks along the way. Around 60km in, a group of 14 broke clear, but their freedom from the peloton was short lived. A late attack also came from Ingrid Drexel (Astana Women’s Team) – but she was also caught before any concern could spread.

As the kilometers ticked away, the riders passed through some of the nation’s long tunnels – no doubt offering respite from the beating sun.

At 3km to go, the pace was truly surging, at around 50km/h – with strong contenders softening anyone who couldn’t hold the wheel.

The charge for the line was led by Crowell – making two Australian wins in as many days after Chloe Hosking’s success at Stage Three. Cromwell and the Canyon//SRAM team were thrilled with the victory, the rider herself commenting ‘I’d forgotten how that feels’.

That winning feeling, I’d forgotten how it feels. Couldn’t have done it without my amazing @WMNcycling team & staff. pic.twitter.com/O06TczEic5

— Tiffany Jane (@tiffanycromwell) July 5, 2016

Behind Cromwell was Italian rider – Maria Giulia Confalonieri of Lensworld-Zannata-Etixx, then Aude Biannic for Team Poitou-Charentes Futuroscope-86.

The top three on  General Classification remain unchanged:

1. Evelyn Stevens (Boels Dolmans)
2. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv)              +3.3
3. Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans)                 + 13

There was little alteration in the jersey wearers, too. Guarnier keeps the points jersey, Elisa Longo Borghini retains the climbers honours and Kasia Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv) wears the Young Rider jersey. The Best Italian jersey moved to the shoulders of Confalonieri after she placed second today.

Check out these pics from the day…