Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Giorgia Bronzini holds on to second place overall in the Giro della Toscana after deciding not to take any risks in the technical finish of yesterday’s stage, between Porcari and Pontadera. The former two-time World champion was well placed in the final kilometre, having been protested by her Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling teammates during the 110.1km stage, but considered a tight bend with 300 metres to go too much of a risk with the World championships just two weeks away.
“Giorgia didn’t want to take any risks,” confirmed Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling directeur sportif Simon Cope. “It was a fast finish, but there was a fast right-hander, slightly downhill. It was one of those where you really had to fight for your position. There could have been a big crash, but there wasn’t.”
Having been looked after for the whole stage, Bronzini suddenly lost Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling teammates Lauren Kitchen and Emily Collins in the run to the finish.
“They both hit a hole,” Cope explained. “They both hit the same hole and punctured their front wheels. It was a about three or four-k to go, so obviously that didn’t help, losing two riders from the lead out.”
Current World champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant) won the stage in a photofinish over Shelley Olds (Tibco-To The Top), with Italian Barbara Guarischi (Vaiano-Fondriest) taking third. Time bonuses on the line meant that Vos extended her lead over Bronzini to 18 seconds, but the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling rider remains in second overall.
“Giorgia’s had 17 wins this year, which is seven more than she hoped she was going to get,” Cope added. “We just wanted one stage here and we’ve done that.”
Result
1. Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant)
2. Shelley Olds (Tibco-To The Top)
3. Barbara Guarischi (Vaiano-Fondriest)
8. Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling)
