Defensive performance sees Koppenburg and KDH protect GC spots
GIRO D'ITALIA DONNE
Stage 3
Casale Monferrato – Ovada
Casale Monferrato – Ovada


It rained and it rained. A few weak shoots of sunlight illuminated the finish in Ovada.

Sharp, short ascents rather that sustained climbing efforts. Verdant fields and tight tree-lines.

Narrow roads[4], fast and technical descents. A classic sprint with a long straight finish.
THE STAGE
The threatened thunderstorms never materialized, but the conditions were gritty and tough for the first 100km[1]. The middle part of the day was raced hard and a breakaway escaped to take the stage and four minutes. Three of our riders were able to follow wheels in the peloton coming home in a large group with the maglia rosa [3]. Victory went to Marianne Vos who won the four-way sprint. Clara Koppenburg was the team's top finisher, bringing it home safely in the bunch along with Heidi Franz and Krista Doebel-Hickok.


"It was full-on from 65km to go. We're content to come through a challenging stage safely, and focused on the TT tomorrow."
– DS JOANNE, ON SAFETY FIRST
DECISIVE MOMENTS





NOTABLE RESULTS
Clara Koppenburg rolls over the line in 42nd place[4]
Heidi Franz (46th) and Krista Doebel-Hickok (54th) are hot on her heels in the same bunch
LAY OF THE LAND
The race of truth. But with a mountain. An individual time trial in the Alps promises yet more movement in the GC. For complete stage details including how to follow the race and where to watch, visit our preview.