AFP
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NOS Cycling•today, 15:36
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Annemiek van Vleuten has won the third stage in the Giro Donne and thus takes over the pink jersey from the Italian Elisa Balsamo. In a sprint with the Spanish Mavi García, the Dutch was supreme.
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Back on the mainland in Italy and in the blazing sun, the riders started the third stage of the Italian women’s race. The third stage of more than 120 kilometers and 2000 meters of altitude started and ended in Cesena.
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After more than two hours of racing, Van Vleuten managed to form a leading group on the second climb of the day with the Italian Marta Cavalli and the Spanish García.
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The group of three managed to get behind the group with the pink jersey, then still around Balsamo’s shoulders. With twenty kilometers to go, the deficit was already more than four minutes. The group in between was also unsuccessful.
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To attack
The last challenge in the third stage was on the last (unofficial) climb, the pursuers had been put at a distance of almost three minutes. At the start of the climb, the Dutch rider of Movistar immediately started the attack.
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García’s answer was not long in coming and the UAE rider seemed to pass Van Vleuten without difficulty. But it was impossible to get away completely, but the action of the two riders did mean that the Italian Cavalli had to release.
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Van Vleuten tried a few more times to get away from García, but he didn’t give up. Together the riders started the flat part towards the finish.
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At 600 meters before the finish, García was already pushing for the sprint, but the combative Van Vleuten held on, then put the gas on it and drove to victory. With that, the Dutch not only took the stage victory, but also the leader’s jersey in the Giro Donne.
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