Race News

Giro Rosa Stage 8: Lucinda Brand Takes the Stage Win

Perhaps the most tough-and-go finish we've had so far...

The eighth stage of the 18th annual Giro Rosa kicked off today in Baronissi where the riders set out to cycle 141.8km to the finish in Palinuro.

To recap on yesterday’s Stage Seven… We saw a lot less drama in the peloton as temperatures remained high. With many mini-attacks being made throughout, it wasn’t until later in the race that the peloton broke in two. The final push came from the leading group which came down to a bunch sprint for the line with Sheyla Gutierrez taking her first world stage win. 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 8…

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 8: Baronissi to Palinuro – 141.8 km

After a 10km descent, the peloton will reach the stunning coastline where high cross winds were anticipated. Today’s stage climb came later in the race when the peloton would be already depleted.

Sunny skies beckoned the peloton as they set off earlier today. Keeping together, the peloton was in no mood to let anyone break away as the pace was kept around 42.9kph, that’s pretty quick!

As the pack reached the first uncategorised climb, the peloton split into bunches with 30 up front, 20 chasing and the rest of the peloton with all leader jerseys at the front. Over the top, they go on the climb where the bunches shuffled in numbers and places.

Riders alternated and danced between the leading, chasing and peloton group as they raced with 50km to go. Riabchenko and Ensing headed out alone leading in front of the 40 strong chasing group whilst gaining significant time. Riabchenko held the solo lead for a significant amount of distance until Lucinda Brand made a break for the chase and closed in on her rapidly in the final kilometres.

Disaster for Brand as she crashes in the final 3km to the line giving Riabchenko a new lead which didn’t hold as Brand chased her down once more and this time, it was for the stage win.

Results:

1.Lucinda Brand (Team Sunweb)
2.Tatiana Riabchenko (Lensworld-Kuota)
3.Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans)

Jersey results: