Stage 1 – Giro Rosa

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Barbara Guarischi has sprinted to victory in the opening road stage of the Giro Rosa in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Lizzie Armitstead best Brit in 14th

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Stage 1 – Giro Rosa
By Beth Duryea

Barbara Guarischi has sprinted to victory in the opening road stage of the Giro Rosa in Ljubljana, Slovenia today. Guarischi finished ahead of Lucinda Brand (Rabo-Liv) and to cap off a great day for Velocio-SRAM, her teammate Tiffany Cromwell sprinted to third.

Guarischi said “This win is really amazing. I have waited so long for it and I can’t believe that I have won today, a stage of the Giro! I didn’t feel great at the start but on the climb I was good. My team worked perfect for me in the last kilometres. I started to become nervous and it was Alena (Amialiusik) who kept reminding me to be patient. When you see all of your team mates in front and around you, working just for you to take the stage win, then it’s incredible.”

“When we turned the corner I could feel that Tiff was still with me. Brand went early, and I knew there was a head wind so I waited and I went with 100m to go. At one point just before the line I knew I was going to win, and it was almost too much. I couldn’t believe it. The girls worked perfect for me in the lead out today and I am happy to repay them with this victory. We all will celebrate it!”

The 102.5 kilometre Stage One from Kamnik to Ljubljana city was one touted for the sprinters but it was not a flat stage that greeted the peloton. An early break of three riders: Ana Covrig (BePink La Classica), Malgorzta Jasinska (Alé Cipollini) and Chantal Hoffman (Lotto Soudal Ladies) were away after the first intermediate sprint at 12 kilometres. A seven kilometre climb mid-race split the peloton and at that point, Covrig and Jasinska became a duo that continued to work together until they were caught by the peloton with six kilometres to the race. The teams then became organised for their sprinters and it was Velocio-SRAM that were able to deliver the Italian sprinter Guarischi to the finish.

Team Director Sportif Beth Duryea said “The girls did a great job today, we couldn’t be happier. We set a plan before the race and they have followed it through right to the last corner. It’s great to see Barbara take the win, it’s well deserved and she hasn’t stopped smiling since. We have a stage win already now, so we can enjoy it and we look forward to what lies ahead for the rest of the Giro.”

In the overall classification, Brand now moves into the Maglia Rosa with a four second lead over Guarischi, and five second advantage to Annemiek Van Vleuten (Bigla Pro Cycling) who won last nights prologue. Stage Two returns to Italy with a start in Gaiarine and finish in San Fior for a 121 kilometre stage.

Live action can be followed on the team’s twitter account @velociosports, with #GiroRosa2015 and Rai Sport 2 have an evening highlights broadcast televised daily.

Result

1. Barbara Guarischi

14. Lizzie Armitstead
33. Molly Weaver
84. Sharon Laws
103. Jessie Walker

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