Another stage for the fast women in the bunch awaited the Giro Donne peloton today as they left the town of Cala Gonone, covering 113 kilometres to Olbia. Climbing out of the neutralised zone, the bunch headed immediately downhill making for a fast start to the stage and a few unsuccessful breakaway attempts before the move of the day eventually went clear.

Like yesterday the team remained in the peloton, focusing on staying safe and conserving energy for the finale. Battling into a headwind the break were eventually caught at just over ten kilometres to go where the team moved up well together, protecting third-placed finisher on yesterday’s stage, Charlotte Kool. Working well as a group the team held a good position going through the last roundabout before things in the peloton became more chaotic with rider and teams mixed throughout the bunch.

Coming into the final kilometre Franziska Koch came back to the front and moved Kool up really well, as the race charged into sight of the finish gantry. Having already made some efforts to hold position, Kool gave it everything all the way to the line – claiming a super second place at the finish.

“It was another really hot day but it was a controlled race,” explained Kool. “At some point the break got three minutes but the other teams started to control things and brought it back. In the final we knew we had to be there for the final roundabout, which worked out well because moving up after that was pretty hard. Unfortunately, we lost each other because it was really chaotic. I focused on following the wheels and staying in the front which went well but I had to do some efforts to stay in position. Franzi came back on the right which was great and we moved up out of the tunnel really well, and she really helped me. In the last corner I got a bit boxed and had to make an effort to come towards the front and then I saw the line, and I was already more on my limit than yesterday because of the efforts. Marianne went and I sprinted for it as hard as I could, with Elisa on my left and Marianne in front. Coming out of the wheel you often have more speed so I was coming closer and closer. It’s good to get more experience in riding a sprint as a finisher and I think we all know that as team we are capable of even more here, so we’re looking forward to the next sprint stage.”

Team DSM coach Huub Duijn added: “It was quite similar to yesterday but it was a bigger break, and once again was quite a hectic last 20 kilometres. We had everything under control in the bunch behind, sitting around Charlotte and Juliette. In the finish we made a plan to not be too early on the front. Franziska was there with Charlotte in the last kilometre and she did a really great job to position Charlotte who herself did a really nice sprint. With third yesterday and second today, we will give it our all to go for that top step next time.”