An individual time trial is a fine way to shake up the General Classification during a stage race and an ITT win at this year’s Giro Rosa saw Evelyn Stevens (Boels-Dolmans) leapfrog Mara Abbott (Wiggle High5) to take the second spot behind Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans).
Having won stages two and six, Stevens took her third victory if this year’s race today, finishing in 36minutes 21 seconds, 4 seconds up on Anna van der Breggan (Rabo Liv) who pipped Elisa Longo Borghini to second place by a fraction of a second.
The course from Albisola Superiore to Varazze was notably lumpy – and riders chose to take an assortment of different approaches to the bike question. Some used time trial bars, whilst others selected standard road bike.
The result means that Megan Guanier remains in the Pink GC leader’s jersey, with Evelyn Stevens in second on the GC, 34 seconds behind, and Anna van der Breggen 1minute 53 seconds back. Abbott, who wore pink after stage five slips to fourth, 2minutes 7 seconds behind.
There are just two more stages to go now – a 99km race from Rescaldina to Legnano followed by 105km from Verbania and back again…
