A short, but fast 3rd stage in the Giro Rosa. The peloton completed the plus 100 kilometres long stage in an average speed of well over 40 kilometres/hour. Hannah Barnes proved to be the fastest in a bunch sprint in San Vendemanio. All WM3 Pro Cycling riders got through the stage in one piece and finished with the peloton.

WM3 Pro Cycling flipped the switch after the 2nd stage in which Kasia Niewiadoma lost precious time in the battle for pink. On the first of 2 small climbs, the Muro Ca’ del Poggio, Kasia got away with a group including the most potential winners for the victory. The climb, also part of the Giro d’Italia earlier in the year, was short (1.400 metres) but tricky. The first 500 metres had a gradient percentage of no less than 19%, followed by a stretch of 13%.

The group with the favourites did not get away which, together with the anticipation of a rather flat final, made it only a matter of counting down to a mass sprint.  Hannah Barnes outsprinted Lotta Lepistö and Kirsten Wild. The WM3 Pro Cycling riders did not participate in the sprint and crossed the finish line safety with the peloton. This stage also did not pose any problems for Anouska Koster who crashed on Saturday in a tunnel. Anna van der Breggen keeps her pink leader’s jersey.

Saving energy
“On Saturday, the main feeling was disappointment, but today, we rode a fine stage. In this sort of stages, it is important to stay calm and save energy for the stages in which we can make a difference”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens. “You have to stay realistic: the top in the overall ranking is taken by 3 very powerful riders who, in addition, are also strong in time trials. Nevertheless, we all still believe in a podium spot.”

The riders await a flat stage in the Po-valley on Monday with start and finish in Ochiobello. The time trial is programmed for the day after.