Team DSM Win Stage 5 of Giro d'Italia Donne
Words from Team DSM
Milan, Italy. July 2021. Building on an excellent season so far, Team DSM’s Women’s program have taken their ninth resounding win of the year at the Giro Donne in Italy.
After yesterday’s mountain time trial, the bunch were on open roads again today at the Giro Donne, with a predominantly flat 120 kilometres from Milan to Carugate to contend with. As in previous stages, there were a few attempts early in the day to make it into the break but no move was allowed to escape, before one rider eventually hit out solo after 50 kilometres. A group of five set off in pursuit, managing to bridge the gap to the lone leader and forming a group of six which held a one minute advantage over the bunch, where all Team DSM riders were.
The gap to those out front increased to over two minutes and the team took up the onus in the peloton, beginning to set a steady tempo and reel in the break. After some strong riding by Floortje Mackaij and Liane Lippert, alongside some other sprint teams, the gap had fallen to only 30 seconds with 15 kilometres to go. One lone rider tried to hold off the charging peloton but the inevitable catch was made as the sprint trains jostled for position.
Taking command of the front of the bunch in the final two kilometres, Juliette Labous used her strong legs to hold onto a good position before passing over to Leah Kirchmann. Upping the speed, Kirchmann made sure that no one could get past the team’s train and delivered last pilot-fish Coryn Rivera at 450 metres to go. Rivera used all of her experience to hold the inside line and force others the long way around, dropping Wiebes off perfectly at 150 metres to go. With the road opening up in front of her, Wiebes was able to produce her trademark powerful sprint all the way to the line, sitting up and raising her arms aloft in jubilation after taking the win.
Words from Lorena Wiebes:
“The team did such a good job the whole stage, keeping control of things,” beamed Wiebes at the finish. “We once again did a super lead out. After the last corner the girls put the speed really high, especially Coryn in the finale, so that I only had to sprint for the last 150 metres: it was amazing. We have a really strong team here so we’ll keep fighting for more stage wins at the race.”
Results So Far
Stage 2 – 10th Juliette Labous (FRA)
Stage 3 – 3rd Liane Lippert (GER), 6th Coryn Rivera (USA)
Stage 4 – 6th Juliette Labous (FRA)
Stage 5 – 1st Lorena Wiebes (NED), 10th Coryn Rivera (USA)
General Classification After Stage 5 - 8th Juliette Labous (FRA)
Giro d'Italia - Line-up
Leah Kirchmann (CAN)
Juliette Labous (FRA)
Liane Lippert (GER)
Floortje Mackaij (NED)
Coryn Rivera (USA)
Lorena Wiebes (NED)
Stages - Giro d'Italia Donne
Fri, July 2 - Stage 1: TTT Fossano - Cuneo, 26.7km
Sat, July 3 - Stage 2: Boves - Prato Nevoso, 100km
Sun, July 4 - Stage 3: Casale Monferrato - Ovada, 135km
Mon, July 5 - Stage 4: Formazza - Cascate del Toce ITT, 14 Km
Tues, July 6 - Stage 5: Milano - Carugate, 120km
Wed, July 7 - Stage 6: Colico - Colico, 155km
Thurs, July 8 - Stage 7: Soprazzocco di Gavardo - Puegnago del Garda, 109.6km
Fri, July 9 - Stage 8: San Vendemiano - Mortegliano, 129.4km
Sun, July 10 Stage 9: Tavagnacco - Matajur, 122.6km
Monday, July 11 - Stage 10: Capriva del Friuli - Cormons, 113km
Where to Watch
Giro d'Italia Donne's broadcast of the last 15km can be followed daily with a start time varying between 14:15 to 15:15 CET, depending on the stages on the following channels:
Giro d'Italia Donne's official website
See the race bike: SCOTT Addict RC
Learn more about Team DSM here.
Get to know the team here.
Photos: Patrick Brunt, Cor Vos