A bunch sprint was predicted for Stage 5 of the Giro Rosa 2014, and today that is exactly what we got. Once again Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv) sprinted to victory crossing the line before Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda) and Shelly Olds (Alè Cipollini Galassia).

Stage 5 of the Giro Rosa was fast from the start with average speeds in the first hour at 45 km/hr. 50km into the race saw the first attack from Audrey Cordon (Hitec Products) who held her lead for 10km.

Anna van der Breggen took the only KOM (4^th category) of the day. Behind her, green jersey Valentina Scandolara (Orica AIS) and Alena Amialiusik (Astana BePink). In the final filometres of the race, things really heated and in the final few kilometres we were treated to a bunch sprint. Speeds of up to 50km/hr were reached in the bunch sprint with Marianne Vos yet again proving she boss crossing the lien in first place.

Speaking after the race, Vos had the following to say:

“That was a very high-paced stage, with a strong crosswind. Somebody tried to attack but nobody really managed to get clear. The team is working really good together and this is great. I want to dedicate this victory to all my teammates”.

Giorgia Bronzini also spoke at the end of Stage 5 of the Giro Rosa: “I had bad luck yesterday, so I really wanted to win today. But Marianne is just unbeatable, there’s no excuses, she’s the best. In the next stages I’ll be working for the team, to repay my teammates for all they did to me so far”.

After today’s win, the Dutch rider, Marianne Vos, is still leading the general classification (Pink Jersey).

After a couple days racing along the coast, the Giro Rosa heads to the mountains of north east Italy on stage 6. From Gaiarine the riders have 112km to look forward to, which includes three challenging climbs before finishing in San Fior..

Results for Stage 5 of the Giro Rosa:

1. Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) km 124,300 in 2:53’30” at the average of 42,951 km/h
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda) s.t.
3. Shelley Olds (Alè Cipollini Galassia)
4. Emma Johansson (Orica AIS)

General Classification:

1. Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team)

2. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) at 41’’

3. Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products) at 49”

4. Annemiek van Vleuten (Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team) at 2’01”

5. Emma Johansson (Orica AIS) at 2’10”

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)

Also worth a read:

Marianne Vos is the Queen of Strava

How to get the best road bike for your budget

8 of the best road cycling training camps