MODENA – The plot is always the same: Holland against the rest of the world. He wins on the uphill Van Vleuten, Wiebes is in the sprintThe first two stages of the Giro Donne It went like this, as predicted, with all due respect to the others for the moment. Yes, because the race is still long and all their rivals are already thinking about how to make up for it..
The finish line in Modena of the second stage (positioned in the ring of a park) can be considered one of the very few opportunities for the sprinters and SD-Worx European Champion dominates Vos and DygertHome favourite Rachele Barbieri finished fifth with some regrets, while Paternoster flies to the ground in the last few meters without apparent problems.
Wiebes reigns
Eighth center of the season and third overall at the Giro Donne for Lorena Wiebes who confided to us after the match that thanks to his "Italian corner" (as he nicknamed it Cecchini e You heal who does not fail to thank), He's trying to learn some basic words and phrases in our language.
«We resumed our escape a little late – explains Lorena – but I had complete confidence in my train. Elena and Barbara guided me perfectly. Barbara left me behind the bend, after which I only had to worry about the final straight.And I gave it my all. I'm happy with this stage victory. Team SD Worx was incredibly strong today. The whole team managed the climb well, and I was perfectly surrounded and protected all day. We were in control of the situation. When your team does such a good job, you want to thank them with a stage win. Then you don't want to fail.I repeat, I'm happy to be back in the Giro Donne and I don't want to stop here. The fourth stage is hectic, but I like it and I don't feel left out. We'll try again."
Firm rose
In the morning, when you leave Formigine, you can experience two very distinct climates. The meteorological one with its oppressive heat which forces all athletes to show up with the typical refrigerated vest or ice pack around their neck. Then there is the mood that is circulating among the buses with almost opposite opinions regarding Van Vleuten's victory in Marradi the previous day. Is it possible that the Giro Donne is already over even though there are still six stages to go? And despite the fact that the pink jersey leads with only a 49” advantage?
«The way I saw Annemiek go – he says Giorgia Bronzini, sport director of Liv Racing TeqFind – right now it's becoming very difficult to take away her leadershipOn the Colla Pass, he attacked about five kilometers from the top and left them there. On the descent, he didn't lose, and instead relaunched on every downhill gradient and at the exit of every corner. Many did not expect him to go so fast or to make such a difference on the first climb of the Giro».
«To attack it, we need to isolate it – continues the Piacenza native – and the teams that had the most numbers at the end of the Marradi stage must do so, namely Lidl-Trek and Fdj-Suez. If they were to unite against Van Vleuten, I think they would then also have the support of other teams, like ours.We have Mavi Garcia, who is fine, but I won't let her waste precious energy without knowing she's confident the others will cooperate, or knowing that she won't worry Van Vleuten on her own. The next few stages have more climbs and descents to challenge her. Of course we will be there to fight, but knowing how things are at the moment I see everything as very complicated.».
The goal is to try
Van Vleuten's performance in Marradi seems like a deterrent for anyone, even if no one wants to give up. There is room for improvement and there is no need to get discouraged straight away..
«I reached the top with a disadvantage of about thirty seconds – he comments Martha Cavalli with the green jersey of best climber on loan from Van Vleuten – but there was no point in risking more on the descent than we did. I'm fine and I have the desire to attack.We'll see what to do tactically but honestly I think the Giro is still open."
«The history of the Giro d'Italia in general – analyses Paolo Slongo, sports director of Lidl-Trek – it's full of episodes in which a race seems over and instead takes another turnI'm not just talking about the Giro I won with Nibali in 2016, but also this year's between Thomas and Roglic. We certainly know Van Vleuten's worth and we know we have to do more to make her life difficult. The Giro Donne is not already closed or addressed as some may thinkIt's just started and I think that from the fourth to the seventh stage there is all the space needed to keep the race open."
