Race Writeup

Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloiet) won the tough stage into Capannori in a sprint to the line ahead of Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia) and Emma Johansson (Swedish National Team).

The fifth stage included three GPM climbs and is notorious for a break away group and for the last few years a lone winner. This year, there was a break in the final stages that resulted in a group of six riders to fight for the win. 

In the early stages of the race, a group of 15 riders managed to get away. This group included Trixi Worrack (German National Team), Luisa Tamanini (A.C.S. CHIRIO FORNO D'ASOLO), Sarah Duester (Cervelo Test Team), Valentine Bastianelli, Alessandra D'Ettorre and Martina Ruzickova (TOP GIRL-FASSA BORTOLO-GHEZZI).

The leading group were joined by another 30 riders which included, Vos with team-mate Annamiek van Vleuten (Nederland Bloiet), Arndt, Evelyn Stevens, Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia) the overnight leader, Johansson, Iris Slappendel (Cervelo Test Team), Tatiana Guderzo and Tatiana Antoshina (Team Valdarno), Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara), Jasinska Malgorzata (Team Systemdata) and Natalia Boyarskaya (Fennis-Petrogradets)

As the leading group climbed Sagromino, the cloud dropped and the rain started to fall, making conditions very tricky for the riders. On the ascent of Valgiano, the leading group were all together. The decent was tricky and had many dangerous twists which split the group up a little.

With 20k to go, three riders attacked, Guderzo, Arndt and Antoshina managed to gain a small advantage of 8 seconds over the chasers. Johansson, Vos and Malgorzata managed to jump to close the gap and a lead group of 6 formed.

With 1km to go the leaders were holding a small lead on 12 chasing riders. As the incline increased towards the finish into Capannori, Vos sprinted early,  Arndt went with her with Johansson. 

Judith Arndt moved into the Rosa jersey for the final stage. 

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Post Race Comments

Ronny Lauke (Sports Director HTC Columbia) could not have been happier with his team. "Judith was watching for the breaks for Noemi as this was her job. she followed the move that went over the climb" commented Lauke. "Vos then got across to strengthen the break, which stayed away to the finish. Judith hadn't done any work because she was  defending Noemi's lead and she had a lot of energy for the final sprint. It was important for us to be sure we stayed in control of the overall classification and that's what we've done with Judith," added Lauke.

With one stage left, Lauke is optimistic about the overall chances, "If we play our cards right, things could turn out very well,"   

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Results - Top 10 - click here to see full result

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General Classification Top 10 - click here to see full GC

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Photos   Click on any image to enlarge >>

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