Race Report: Giro Donne Stage 3

And so the climbing begins…

 

I wanted climbing and today that was exactly what I got.  Before a race like this you prepare for how hard you think it will get but you can never fully anticipate just how hard it will actually be on the day.  The stage today covered 124km (77mi) with total elevation gain of 1808m (5,832ft).  Between the start at Vernio Po and the finish at Dei Pepoli there were two categorised climbs and it was always going to be a tough day out.

The race started really fast through the streets of Vernio Po with an average speed of over 50km/h (31mph) for the first 10 minutes.  It was only when we hit the first climb (category 2) around the 27km mark that the pace slowed down.  We went over the top of the climb with a group of about 55 riders.  The second climb (category 1) of the day was where the real damage was done and from there it was only 14km to the finish.  That felt like the longest 14km of my career.  Racing in average temperatures of 39.5°C (103°F) take its toll.  At the end of the stage the time difference between the winner, Evelyn Stevens of Team Specialized Lululemon, and the last bunch out on the road was 41:49.  I finished the stage in 25^th place (riders 17-27 all with the same time) and moved up to 26^th on the general classification.  You always want to do better but I am very happy with that result.  Ashleigh Moolman did a great job finishing 8^th 2:22 behind the winner.

Tomorrow is another climbing day with one category 2 climb after 66km.  The stage starts and finishes in Montecatini.

Giro Donne survival kit (the unhealthy stuff are considered essential to balance out all the pasta)