SALICE TERME (PV) – If you wanted a quiet day at the Giro Women's cycling Come back next time. Beware of underestimating the stages that on paper seem to mean little or nothing, and be careful not to treat the descent as an attacking terrain. After a thrilling finale, he wins in Salice Terme Celia Gery of FDJ United-Suez in a tight sprint in which Chantal Pegolo's splendid third place stands out, but it is what the seventh stage expresses that provides so many points of interest and discussion.
In the morning, the debate was divided between possible outcomes: yet another sprint with Balsamo the favorite, or a breakaway that would make it to the finish? The difference would be made by the Pietragavina categorized climb, less than 30 kilometers from the finish, an ideal launching pad and simultaneously a stumbling block for sprinters less inclined to climbs. However, with sixty kilometres to go, despite a quintet of leaders with a 5' advantage, the serenity in the group was not such.From that moment on, another stage begins, with several twists and turns.
Rose on the ground and I stretch downhill
When there was still a long way to go both to the “gpm” and to the finish, a fall involves Guarischi who hits the ground heavily and in the tumble the pink jersey Van der Breggen also falls, hitting his headThese are delicate moments for the two SD Worx Protime athletes, who must close the gap on the group by a full minute. Guarischi will return to the bus covered in bandages with her kit torn, and Van der Breggen will feel a little nauseous, but overall, she's in good shape considering the scare.
Meanwhile the fugitives are disunited, losing ground, and are closing in behind. In the descent after Pietragavina, Persico and Longo Borghini try to repeat, in a reduced version, the same number as last year in the decisive stage of Monte Nerone, But Brand and Gery swoop in on them. The four join Segato, Pegolo, and Jackson, survivors of the initial breakaway. Collaboration isn't there for a variety of reasons; Persico shoulderes the bulk of the work, and the results are evident. The lead reaches 45" at about 15 kilometers from Salice Terme, while behind they begin to organize themselves to aim for the sprint.
Pegolo in the history of Isolmant
The energy spent in the long breakaway of the day multiplies by pegolo when he sees the big guns approaching his surviving trio. Under the giant screen on the awards stage, her agent Fabio Perego smiles, hopes and makes a prediction knowing full well the speedy qualities of his client, which gives a historic podium to Isolmant in the participations in the Giro Women's cycling.
«I have yet to realize what I have done – Pegolo tells happily just after the finish line – it's really incredible because we went on the run right away, also thanks to the suggestion of Giovanni Fidanza who told us that this would be the right opportunity to do it and maybe make it to the end. When our lead grew beyond eight minutes, I thought we could do it, but they caught us after the top. Seeing Elisa and Silvia gave me a new boost of confidence. It was surreal, but I know you have to give up a meter after the finish line..
«I was thinking about collaborating – continues Pegolo – and about the sprint. Even though I finished third, I feel like this placement is a team victory. Giovanni knows a lot about this, and he proved it today. I'm also very happy because I think back to the days leading up to the Giro. Today I'm crying with joy, yesterday with despair. Until two weeks ago, I hadn't even thought about running it because I had a severe case of gastroenteritis.At the first stage I was waving my flag among the team cars, and today I'm here celebrating a third place in my first year as an elite rider, ahead of so many top riders. I still can't believe it."
Elisa's courage
Jacopo Mosca is also in Salice Terme, wanting to surprise his wife Elisa. He's walking towards the bus. UAE to wait for her there, but seeing the images of the race he decides to go to the finish line.
If Van der Breggen trembled from the fall, The other leaders in the standings have to thank the sprinters' teams who pushed hard to close a gap that was becoming dangerous.. FDJ Vollering did not cooperate to defend its Gery in advance, as did Lidl-Trek for Brand, but it was mainly Uno-X Mobility and Canyon//Sram zondacrypto that limited Longo Borghini's action.
«It seems to me – the captain of the UAE Team ADQ while doing cryotherapy in the ice-filled tub – getting better and better every day. It hasn't been an easy time both mentally and physically since April. I'm not 100 percent, I still don't have the pace change and the ability to stay at a very high intensity, but this Giro will help me get back to my usual form.
«Today – continues Longo Borghini who will finish sixth gaining five seconds on her rivals – I wasn't planning on attacking, in fact Silvia had to do it, it was designed for her because it was a technical descentI simply followed Brand and the radio told me to keep going. Unfortunately, I didn't have the right teammates in this breakaway, and that's how it went. It's true, in the end I spent a lot, but who cares, I'm not afraid of what I did and I'm not afraid of anything or anyoneTomorrow will be tough, we will have to survive and we will do it somehow."
The eighth and penultimate fraction of the Giro Women's cycling The gala menu features the Colle delle Finestre and the finish at Sestriere. More than 30 kilometers of climbing in the final 50 kilometers of a 106-kilometer stage. We're ready to rewrite the overall standings.
