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Previous coverage of Emakumeen Bira  >>    2011    2010

24th Emakumeen Bira 2011

WCN quicklink >>   Stage 1     Stage 1 Full     Stage 2    Stage 2 Full     Stage 3    Stage 3 Full   

                             Stage 4    Stage 4 Full   Stage 5   Stage 5 Full    

Stage 4 - Johansson and Vos in charge in Deba

Deba, 81km

Race Writeup

Emma Johansson (Hitec) crossed the line in Deba ahead of counterpart, Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) to win stage 4 of Bira. The Dutchwoman retained the race lead, in fact opening the GC gap, thanks to a 29 second advantage over chasers Trixi Worrack (AA Drink) and Judith Arndt (HTC-HighRoad).

The race started with an escape by HTC Highroad's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg and Irene Van de broek (AA Drink). The pair managed to gain a maximum lead of 1 minute 15 seconds on the first circuit which included the climb of Txapasta. Teutenberg left van den Broek on the descent and continued through Deba alone.

Race leader Marianne Vos sent her team to the front to close the gap. Little by little the gap came down, Emma Pooley (Garmin) tried to bridge the gap to the leaders but eventually the groups came back together by the time they reached the second passage of Txapasta. 

Teutenberg was still alone at the bottom of the climb, but saw the writing on the wall and sat up part way through the climb, as the chasers closed in on her. Over the top was the Mountain jersey leader Ashleigh Moolman and overall leader Vos. A lead group of 17 riders formed on the decent into Deba. 

Teutenberg attacked again and managed to gain a gap of 13 sec, followed again by van den Broek. Teutenberg maintained her effort up the final climb, but was caught just before the summit, tantalisingly close for the German, whose descending skills would have given her the chance to stay away for a solo win typical of the type the sprinter has enjoyed in the past during stage races.

At the top of the Kalbario the leading group finally split and a lead group of 8 riders formed. On the run in Johansson and Vos escaped the group and rode together to the finish. 

The Swedish Road Champion crossed the line the better of Vos in Deba. Vos secured a solid lead in the overall classification and hold a 50 second lead over Pooley and 1 minute ahead of Johansson. 

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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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