WomensCycling.net - race coverage, Stage 8 - Preview Giro Donne 2012 / 23rd Giro d'Italia Femminile Internazionale

Marianne Vos (Rabo Women) dominated the sprint to the line ahead of Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS) and Evelyn Stevens (Specialized Lululemon)

The 8th stage was shorter than the previous stages but the contour ensured that the peloton needed to keep an eye on possible escapees.

The race started to opened up when Linda Villumsen (Orica-AIS) attacked after 55km and managed to gain a maximum 40 second lead. As the half way point arrived the leading riders and their teams gave chase and closed the gap quickly. Over the major gpm climb of the day Villumsen, was first over with Emma Pooley (AA Drink) not far behind. By the time the race reached 68km completed the peloton was complete again.

Valentina Carretta (MCipollini Giambenini) won the intermediate sprint in front of Villumsen and Charlotte Becker (Specialized Lululemon). Almost immediately there was an attack. Marianne Vos (Rabo Women), Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS) and Evelyn Stevens (Specialized Lululemon) attacked. Pooley tried desperately to reach them but ended up back in the bunch. The leaders quickly gained momentum and created a 23 second gap with 20 km to go to the finish.

At the second intermediate sprint, Vos won ahead of Stevens and Arndt. The three leaders had 40 seconds lead with 1 km to go.

In the sprint to the line, Vos was too strong and secured yet another stage win.

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Results - Top 10 - click here to see full result

Position	Name	Team	Time/Gap
1	Marianne Vos	Rabo Women	2:45:43
2	Judith Arndt	Orica-AIS	"
3	Evelyn Stevens	Specialized - lululemon	"
4	Shelley Olds	AA Drink	0:00:40
5	Chloe Hosking	Specialized - lululemon	"
6	Giorgia Bronzini	Diadora - Pasta Zara	"
7	Alona Andruk	Vaiano Tepso	"
8	Emma Johansson	Hitec- Mistral	"
9	Alena Amialiusik	Be Pink	"
10	Liesbet De Vocht	Rabo Women	"

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General Classification Top 10 - click here to see full GC

Position	Name	Team	Time/Gap
1	Marianne Vos	Rabo Women	19:20:41
2	Evelyn Stevens	Specialized - lululemon	0:01:54
3	Emma Pooley	AA Drink	0:02:30
4	Fabiana Luperini	Faren Honda Team	0:03:03
5	Tatiana Guderzo	MCipollini Giambenini	0:04:24
6	Claudia Hausler	Orica-AIS	0:04:37
7	Judith Arndt	Orica-AIS	0:04:41
8	Elisa Longo Borghini	Hitec- Mistral	0:05:31
9	Ashleigh Moolman	Lotto Belisol Ladies	0:05:36
10	Tiffany Cromwell	Orica-AIS	0:05:38

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