2 years ago by Tom Owen

Prato Nevoso delivers fireworks 🇮🇹

Strong climbing performance from Koppenburg snags 13th on stage
GIRO D'ITALIA DONNE
Stage 2 
Boves – Prato Nevoso
ROSTER
 WEATHER
Blistering heat in the valley. Cool relief among the misty mountain peaks.
  TERRAIN
The stage is defined by the climb, a winding tree-lined road to a ski station.
 COURSE 
Loops, turns, twists and rolling hills, and then one massive mountain.
THE STAGE
The day begins with the death of a pair of sunglasses[1], but improves steadily from there[2]. A stage of two distinct halves. First the calm; the rolling terrain and twisting turning loops on the valley floor. Then the full-gas ascent skywards. Our riders were able to follow wheels in the peloton for 80km, but then all heck broke loose at the foot of Prato Nevoso[3]. Victory went to Anna van der Breggen, the world champ attacking solo with more than 7km to the top, and carrying onto the finish alone. Clara Koppenburg was the team's top finisher, with a battling measured performance netting her 13th on the day.
Long stem sticker = heavy day

 

Poido and Katie riding beside esteemed company
  QUOTE OF THE DAY  
"Everybody knew it was gonna be a hell of a finish. I played to my strengths."
– CLARA, ON THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
DECISIVE MOMENTS
  Clara stretches her climbing legs, takes third over the first GPM.
  A break does not get away until 50km, with teams keeping their powder dry.
  The hammer drops in the first 5km of the climb, and Anna van der Breggen goes solo in the eventual winning move.
  Clara battles to 13th place in a very tough final.
NOTABLE RESULTS
Clara Koppenburg crosses the line 13th[4]
Krista Doebel-Hickok is next to finish in 31st place
Clara moves 62 places up GC to 20th
LAY OF THE LAND
There are seismic gaps in the GC, and that opens up some possibilities for breakaways. Tomorrow's stage has 20 mountains points to play for. For complete stage details including how to follow the race and where to watch, visit our preview.