Giro Donne 2005

1^st July - 10^th July

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Stage Review - Stage 2

It was downhill all the way for Stage 2 - literally....  The stage start in Caerano Di San Marco was at 123m altitude and the finish in Melara was at 13m. On top of that, it was hot - 31'C by noon and 35'C by the time the riders finished just after 3 hours later. As if that wasn't all enough, the final kilometre included a sharp left, then right turn into narrow roads before widening out again for the final 250m.

124 riders started - there were no abandons during the day either, the average stage speed was 39km/h. Whilst the programme detailed this stage as a 'transfer stage', teams were testing each other all day. Early on, Erika Vilunaite (Bianchi) tested legs, but was brought back. Another attack - from Christine Thorburn (USA) and Andrea Bosman (Vriend Van Het Platteland) lasted for about 5km when they went at about half-distance. Mio Oki (Nobili Rubinetterie) tried her luck and managed to stay away for a while, but was brought back with 8km to go. 

So, it was a complete peleton which worked its way through the final kilometres of the stage. As had been the case throughout, the Bigla Team worked hard to protect race leader, the 'Maglia Rosa' - Nicole Braendli. She was surrounded by her team all day. Braendli finished comfortably in the bunch.

The sprint was fast and furious. The Fenix team provided a terrific lead out for German RR Champion, Regina Schleicher, who inched-out track stars, Giorgia Bronzini (Team Chirio Forno d’Asolo) and Olga Sliousareva (Team Nobili Rubinetterie).

Braendli stays in the leader's jersey and also leads the points competition, whilst Giorgia Bronzini tightened her grip on the white Young Rider Competition jersey. Leader of the mountains competition is Joanne Sommariba (Bizkaia - Panda Software)

Results - Stage 2