2 years ago by Tom Owen

A sprint into Mortegliano with minds on Monte Matajur 🇮🇹

Fast and furious Friday
GIRO D'ITALIA DONNE
Stage 8 
San Vendemiano – Mortegliano
ROSTER
 WEATHER
Sunny[1] and not quite enough wind to break things up.
  TERRAIN
Flat roads through cornfields[2], the Friulian Alps looming to the north.
 COURSE 
Straight, simple and a speedy finishing circuit[3] .
THE STAGE
We had a simple mission today; stay safe, save energy for tomorrow. The day began fast[4], with the leading GC teams unwilling to let anything go – and it took around half the race before a break finally went away. We battled hard to get into the move but ultimately missed out. The break was reeled in on the final finishing circuit by the main sprint teams. With the help of Poido, Clara was able to stay safe deep into the final, crossing the line in the peloton with the other general classification riders. Now, we refocus and get ready for tomorrow – the queen stage of the race. Mission accomplished.[6]
  QUOTE OF THE DAY  
"I hate controlled races."
– DS BAJADALI'S THEORY OF CHAOS
DECISIVE MOMENTS
  Heidi and Katie fight hard to make the break.
  Team rides as a unit in the peloton, with Poido playing 'bodyguard' for Clara.
  Clara safely negotiates the crashes in the final.
NOTABLE RESULTS
Clara Koppenburg crosses the line 47th, stays 22nd on GC.
Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) bags her second stage win.
The press officer is almost bitten by a #GiroDogge, but just manages to evade the attack.
LAY OF THE LAND
Tomorrow is the queen stage. It will be long and it will be tough, with three categorized climbs, including a Cat 1 summit finish up Monte Matajur. For complete stage details including how to follow the race and where to watch, visit our preview.