Stage 6 of the Giro Rosa 2014 saw a transition from flat terrain suited to the sprinters to the first of the stages more suited to the climbers.
The previous days have been dominated by Marianne Vos and her fellow Rabo Liv teammates so it was refreshing to see a fresh face dominating today. A look of utter determination graced the face of English woman Emma Pooley (Lotto Beliso) as she made a break in today’s proceedings and managed to bag her first stage win of the Giro Rosa 2014.
Today is was definitely a case of if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. All eyes were on Pooley as she lined up at the start of the Giro Rosa. After all, she had just taken the national time trial title. But unfortunately luck was not on her side. Riding through stage one with a mix of an unrelenting nosebleed and mechanical issues.
Today however, there was no stopping Pooley. The first climb of the day – short but deadly at 20% – saw a break from Pooley. Pooley was then chased down by Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda), current KOM Valentina Scandolara (ORICA-AIS), Jessis Daams (Boels Dolmans), Elena Berlato (Alé-Cipollini), Trixi Worrack (Specialized lululemon) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Rabo Liv).
Behind the breakaway sat all of the major threats for General Classification, including Marianne Vos. As the big climb of the day commenced the gap was closed and many of the riders in the front breakaway started to drop off as they tackled 1000m of ascent, on rough terrain over 13km.
Pooley however proved she was a force to be reckoned with as she continued to attack alongside Kasia Niewiadoma (Rabo Liv). Behind her, the chasing group with Marianne Vos, Anna van der Breggen, Mara Abbott, Elisa Longo Borghini and Claudia Hausler tried to neutralise the break. Into the final metres the break gap was down to 11 seconds, but it seemed it was Emma Pooley’s day as she held it right to the end and finished stage 6 of the Giro Rosa 2014 in first place ahead of Anna van der Breggen, with Marianne Vos back in third place.
After today’s stage, the general classification is still led by the Marianne Vos (Pink Jersey).
Emma Pooley, this stage’s winner, briefly commented: “I’m over the moon”.
“The initial breakaway that involved my teammate Katarzyna Niewiadoma helped us a lot. Emma Pooley then made the gap and was simply the strongest. She deserves the victory today”, said Marianne Vos after the day’s events.
Stage 7, tomorrow runs from Aprica (SO) to Chiavenna (SO) and is 90.8km. More information is available here.
Results:
1. Emma Pooley (Lotto Belisol) km 112,000 in 3:05’46” at the average of 36,174 km/h
2. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) at 15’’
3. Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) s.t.
4. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Orica AIS)
5. Claudia Hausler (Team Giant Shimano)
6. Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products)
7. Mara Abott (United Heatcare)
8. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) at 1’06’’
9. Annemiek van Vleuten (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) at 4’19’’
10. Ashgleigh Moolman (Hitec Products) s.t.
General Classification:
1. Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
2. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) at 45’’
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products) at 53”
4. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) a 2’12”
5. Claudia Hausler (Team Giant Shimano) a 2’17’’
Jerseys:
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
CYCLAMEN SMP Selle, Points Classification: Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
GREEN BIM, Best Climber Classification: Valentina Scandolara (Orica AIS)
WHITE Saugella, Best Young Classification: Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)
BLUE Dama, Best Italian Classification: Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products)
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