Race News

Giro Rosa Stage 4: It was a Photo Finish for Jolien D’hoore

Strong cross winds, a fractured peloton and a photo finish

The fourth stage of the 18th annual Giro Rosa kicked off today in Occhiobello where the riders took on an 118km figure-of-8 loop. Today’s course was relatively flat giving the sprinters a chance to shine.

To recap on yesterday’s Stage Three… We saw British athlete and Canyon//SRAM rider, Hannah Barnes steal the win after a dramatic bunch sprint to the finishing line. With more exciting stages to come, here’s a reminder of the stages of the Giro Rosa 2017:

Stage 1: Aquileia – Grado 11.5 km (TTT)
Stage 2: Zoppola – Montereale Valcellina 122.3 km
Stage 3: San Fior – San Vendemiano 100 km
Stage 4: Occhiobello – Occhiobello 118 km
Stage 5: Sant’Elpidio a Mare – Sant’Elpidio a Mare 12.7 km (ITT)
Stage 6: Roseto degli Abruzzi – Roseto degli Abruzzi 116.2 km
Stage 7: Isernia – Baronissi 142 km
Stage 8: Baronissi – Palinuro 141.8 km
Stage 9: Palinuro – Polla 122.3 km
Stage 10: Torre del Greco – Torre del Greco 124 km

There are five rider jerseys up for grabs each day and after Stage Three here’s who’s wearing what as riders went into Stage 3…

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)

Stage 4: Occhiobello to Occhiobello – 118 km

The day started off with the announcements of more riders to have dropped out of the Giro Rosa. Those included Molly Weaver (WMN) and Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon//SRAM) leaving 165 riders starting Stage 4.

The sun was shining and without a breeze to cool the riders, support cars were allowed to pass water at 25km instead of the usual 50km. With a handful of breakaways attempted in the first 30km, the peloton wasn’t letting anyone go as they raced together averaging a speed of 39.9kph.

As the peloton passed the half-way point, there had been little action as they maintained a quick pace heading. While attacks were attempted, the peloton was relentless in letting no one break free for too long, if at all.

With 40km to go, the winds picked up creating a strong cross-headwind which caught a few riders off guard causing the peloton to split into three bunches. The leading group managed to stick together increasing their lead on the peloton and eventually gained a 90-second advantage over the chasing group with just a few kilometres to go.

As the leading group charged for the finish line, it was almost certain that Chloe Hosking had the win as tweets came flooding in, however, a photo finish determined that it was, in fact, Jolien D’hoore (Wiggle High-5) who crossed first.

Results:

1. Jolien D’hoore (Wiggle High-5)
2. Chloe Hosking (Alè – Cipollini)
3. Coryn Rivera (Team Sunweb)

Jersey results:

PINK Jersey COLNAGO: Anna Van der Breggen (Boels Dolmans)
CYCLAMINE Jersey SELLE SMP: Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM)
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)