Giro Rosa (st. 3)

Basque climber from Movistar Team (18th) into selected field at demanding final climb, as Vos (CCC) narrowly beats attacker Kennedy (MTS); Niewiadoma (CSR) still in pink.

A truly heartbreaking finish. Lucy Kennedy (MTS) came just a dozen meters short to claiming her first ever WorldTour success on stage three of the 2019 Giro Rosa, a 104km route finishing atop Piedicavallo (5km at 5%), as her late attack was caught by Marianne Vos’ (CCC) irresistible final rush.

The Movistar Team again took care well of its main GC hope, Eider Merino, well supported before the last climb by Patiño, Jasinska and Aude Biannic. The Basque was 18th at the finish, into a second echelon of the main, selected group (+9″) including race leader Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR).

Merino sits currently in 20th overall, 2’02” behind the Pole, two days before the big climb to the Lago di Cancano -replacing the Gavia-, which should further clarify the GC hierarchy. Monday will bring the first real sprint chance on stage four, with an easier finale towards Carate Brianza (100km).

Cover picture (c): Velofocus