Giro Rosa (st. 4)
Nrowegian from Movistar Team 1'47" off escape duo with Banks (EPK, 1st) and Bujak (ALE, 2nd) at longest day of the race - and in UCI women's cycling in recent times.
The longest race most can remember in UCI women’s cycling, the 170-kilometer -plus 12km of neutral zone- on stage four of the 2020 Giro Rosa from Assisi to Tivoli, witnessed a winning break as Brit Lizzy Banks (EPK) bested Eugenia Bujak (ALE) after the duo stayed more than one minute away at the demanding (2.2km @ 7%), cobbled finish.
The leading duo was able to leave behind another duo in pursuit, with Silvia Valsecchi (BPK) and Rachel Neylan (CDO), and, above all, a peloton which reacted too late -6 minutes behind with 20km to go-, yet was still close to bringing them back. Annemiek van Vleuten (MTS), 3rd over the line, reinforced her GC lead by taking a couple of seconds on main rivals Elisa Longo Borghini (TFS, 4th) and Kasia Niewiadoma (CSR, 5th).
The Movistar Team riders kept their consistent level, into the second echelon of favourites, as Katrine Aalerud led the Blue performance in 14th place, 1’47” behind Banks. Paula Patiño finished 23rd, two minutes after the day’s winner.
Sprinters should finally take to the fore on Tuesday, as the Giro Rosa offers a flatter course in the 110km stage five, in and around Terracina.
Cover picture (c): Velofocus