Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Linda Villumsen finished fifth in the final time trial stage of the Giro d’Italia Femminile – the Giro Rosa – in the city of Cremona. Dressed in the special “silver fern” skinsuit of New Zealand time trial champion, the 28-year-old completed the 16.7km city course in a time of 22 minutes 14 seconds, to finish just one minute and two seconds behind stage winner, Netherlands champion Ellen van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon).
“Linda’s a little bit down actually, but it was her first race back and one of the biggest races of the year,” said Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling directeur sportif Simon Cope. “That’s where she’s at, at the moment, that’s her form. It’s the same with Charlotte Becker.
“Linda wasn’t going to race this year, and then she decided she wanted to race, and Charlotte had a difficult first half of the season,” Cope explained. “They’ve missed out on a good early season, so we’ll see more from them later in the season.”
Villumsen’s time trial performance lifted her to 14th overall overall in the final general classification, behind winner Mara Abbott (United States). Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling enjoyed a successful Giro Rosa, with former two-time World champion becoming the first Italian stage winner since 2009.
“Giorgia’s had a good week,” said Cope, “but they’ve all ridden well. Mayuko Hagiwara had a crash on the first day, but had a good ride in her first Giro, Emily Collins rode well on her debut.
“Giorgia had a victory and a second place, but she just got beaten by a better rider [in World champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant)] yesterday, so I think all in all it’s been a good race; it’s been a good learning experience for everybody.”
“For some of those girls it’s probably been the longest stage race they’ve ever done, and we’ve got more out of it than a lot of teams with a first, a second and fifth,” Cope added. “I’m pretty pleased with the overall performance really, and I’m looking forward to the Thüringen-Rundfahrt.”
Result
1. Ellen van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon)
2. Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-lululemon)
3. Shara Gillow (Orica-AIS)
5. Linda Villumsen (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling)