Blistering heat in the valley. Cool relief among the misty mountain peaks.

The stage is defined by the climb, a winding tree-lined road to a ski station.

Loops, turns, twists and rolling hills, and then one massive mountain.

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.

  Clara stretches her climbing legs, takes third over the first GPM.

  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.